Device for adjusting a seat position of a bicycle seat

ABSTRACT

There is described a device for adjusting a tilt of a bicycle seat. An angle of a seat coupling relative to a seat post coupling is determined. An angle of the seat post coupling relative to a reference position, such as a horizon, is determined. For example, the angle of the seat post coupling relative to the reference position may be determined based on a current geographic position of the bicycle. Based on the determined angles, the tilt of the bicycle seat is adjusted by actuating a seat tilt driver, such as a motor.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

The present disclosure relates to a device for adjusting a seatposition, such as tilt, of a bicycle seat.

BACKGROUND TO THE DISCLOSURE

It is important for riders of bicycles to be properly positioned ontheir bike when cycling. Poor positioning of the rider can lead not onlyto decreased performance but in some cases may also lead to thedevelopment of muscular aches and pains.

One of the principal ways in which a rider can adjust their position ona bicycle is by adjusting the position of their seat (also generallyreferred to as a saddle). It is a known industry fact that the rider'sperformance is greatly enhanced if the saddle height is located closestto the optimum saddle height. The optimum saddle height is generally afunction of the steepness of the surface on which the rider is cycling.Typically a rider will want a lower saddle position for descending, amid-level saddle position for side hilling, and a raised saddle positionfor ascending. For example, while descending, if the saddle is in alowered position the rider is able to move their center of gravity backover the rear wheel, to increase control and fluidity, as well as beless likely to fall forward or be thrown over the handlebars. Thus, theycan descend faster and with better precision. Similarly, while ascendingor climbing, if the saddle is in a raised position then the rider willnow be in an extended leg position. As a result the rider will be ableto get their center of gravity over parts of the rear wheel, increasingpower output, control and ascending traction, as well as being lesslikely to fall to either side or put a foot down. Thus, they can climbfaster, with less fatigue, and with improved performance and betterprecision.

To adjust a saddle's vertical position relative to the bicycle frame,most bicycles have a seat post that is adjustable in height. The seatpost is inserted into a bicycle's seat tube to an extent that providesthe desired seat height, and the seat post is subsequently clamped tothe seat tube. When desiring to adjust the seat height during a ride, arider will typically dismount, loosen the clamp, adjust the verticalposition of the saddle by moving the seat post up or down, as required,and then tighten the clamp to re-engage the seat post to the seat tube.

However, manually adjusting the seat height as described above isclearly time-consuming. For example, if during a session a rider isfaced with a long uphill stretch and wishes to raise the saddle, theymust first dismount, make the necessary adjustment and then mount again,losing time as well as expending energy. To avoid the need to makesaddle adjustments every time the steepness of the surface changesdramatically, a rider will often simply opt for a ‘middle of a the road’saddle height, and as a result will compromise by having the saddle toohigh for downhill sections, and too low for uphill sections.

Developments in the cycling industry have led to the invention ofautomatic saddle height adjustment mechanisms, such as those describedin U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,202,971 and 7,083,180. For example, U.S. Pat. No.6,202,971 describes seat posts that may be adjusted in height while thebicycle is in motion. Despite the introduction of ‘in situ’ saddleheight adjustment mechanisms, there remains a need in the art to allowriders to further adjust the position of their bicycle seat while ridinga bicycle.

Furthermore, while seat height is an important factor in obtaining arider's optimal riding position, it is not the only factor. Anotherimportant parameter is seat tilt. The tilt of the seat may be consideredas the angle defined by the bicycle's seat/saddle and the surface onwhich the bicycle is moving. In the prior art, similarly to manuallyadjustable seat posts, seat tilt is adjustable, when off the bike, bydisengaging a locking clamp, adjusting the tilt angle of the saddle, andre-engaging the clamp. Much like manually height-adjustable seat posts,modifying the tilt of the seat in such a fashion is time-consuming andwith current bicycle systems cannot be executed while the bicycle is inmotion.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

At present a rider generally pre-sets the saddle tilt prior to riding,and during riding accepts that for certain uphill/downhill sections theseat tilt angle will not be optimal as it cannot be adjusted withoutdismounting the bike. Typically, the optimum tilt angle range forascending based on rider preference is between +5° and −5°. Whenascending, there is therefore a variance of approximately 10° in seattilt between different riders. When descending, there is typically avariance of approximately 15° in seat tilt between different riders(rider preference when descending is typically between +25° and +10°).Therefore there generally exists a total variance of roughly 30° in tiltangle between riders, when descending and ascending. It would be clearlyadvantageous, therefore, if a device were provided that could addressseat tilt without the need for a rider to dismount their bike andmanually adjust the tilt of their saddle.

The present disclosure provides a device that may allow for automaticadjustment of the seat tilt of a bicycle during riding of the bicycle(i.e. when the bicycle is in motion). The device may furthermore allowfor automatic adjustment of seat height, substantially at the same timethat seat tilt is being adjusted. Riders may automatically positionthemselves in the anatomically correct expert position via a seat postthat may be automatically adjustable in height in combination with aseat whose tilt may be automatically adjusted, while the bicycle is inmotion. The controller for actuating the seat height and seat tiltadjustments may be within easy reach of the rider (for example thecontroller may be located on a handlebar of the bike).

In accordance with an aspect of the disclosure, there is provide adevice for adjusting a seat position of a bicycle seat. The devicecomprises a seat tube coupling configured to couple to a bicycle seattube; a seat coupling configured to couple to a bicycle seat; and a seatadjustment mechanism movably coupling the seat tube coupling and theseat coupling. The seat adjustment mechanism comprises a tilt actuatoroperable to adjust a tilt of the seat coupling relative to the seat tubecoupling. The device further comprises a tilt controller remote from andcommunicative with the seat adjustment mechanism and operable by a riderof a bicycle to actuate the tilt actuator thereby adjusting the tilt ofthe seat coupling relative to the seat tube coupling.

Thus, a rider may adjust their seat tilt while riding the bike, withoutthe need to dismount. Riders may therefore be able to achieve bettercontrol, style, and riding technique, while also increasing safety andenjoyment, without expending significant time and energy dismounting andmanually adjusting seat tilt, as in the prior art. Riders mayfurthermore no longer have to compromise with seat tilt set to ‘middleof the road’ settings and may enjoy the benefit of an optimum seat tiltsimply by actuating the seat adjustment mechanism.

The seat adjustment mechanism may be arranged to provide tilting of theseat coupling relative to the seat tube coupling. The seat coupling maybe any mechanical coupling configured to couple to or engage with abicycle seat. The seat tube coupling may be any mechanical couplingconfigured to couple to or engage with a seat tube of a bicycle. Forexample, the seat tube coupling may comprise a seat post arranged to bereceived within a bicycle seat tube. The tilt actuator may be arrangedwhen actuated to cause tilting of the seat coupling along an axis,thereby causing corresponding tilting of a bicycle seat attached to theseat coupling. The tilt controller may be electrically, mechanically, orhydraulically communicative with the seat adjustment mechanism. Otherforms of communication are envisaged between the tilt controller and theseat adjustment mechanism. The tilt controller is actuable by a riderwhen the bicycle is in motion. For example, the tilt controller may takethe form of a lever, button or the like, and may be positioned on thehandlebars of the bicycle, and the rider may use their thumb or anotherdigit to activate the tilt controller. The tilt controller may belocated at other points on the bicycle, provided that they may berelatively easily accessed by the rider during riding of the bicycle.

The tilt actuator may comprise a seat coupling gear fixed to the seatcoupling. The seat adjustment mechanism may further comprise a primemover rotatably coupled to the seat coupling gear along a tilt axis suchthat movement of the prime mover rotates the seat coupling gear therebyadjusting the tilt of the seat coupling along the tilt axis.

The prime mover may comprise an electrical motor or a source ofpressurized air. Actuation of the tilt controller may cause operation ofthe electrical motor, or may cause release of the pressurized air.

The prime mover may comprise a rotatable upper shaft comprising a drivegear. The tilt axis and upper shaft may be perpendicular to each other,and the drive gear and seat coupling gear may be bevelled and coupled toeach other such that rotation of the upper shaft causes rotation of theseat coupling gear.

The seat adjustment mechanism may further comprise a linear actuatoroperable to linearly translate the seat tube coupling relative to theseat coupling. The seat adjustment mechanism may further comprise aheight controller remote from and communicative with the seat adjustmentmechanism and operable by the rider to actuate the linear actuatorthereby adjusting the height of the seat coupling relative to the seattube coupling.

The rider may therefore, using the height controller, actuate the linearactuator to adjust a height of the bicycle seat ‘on the fly’ (i.e. whilethe bicycle is in motion). The linear actuator may comprise a shaft,such as a ball screw or nut, threadedly engaged with a seat post orother linear axial assembly. For example the ball screw may bethreadedly engaged with a ball nut fixed to the seat post. Operation ofthe height controller may provide height adjustment of the seat couplingrelative to the seat tube coupling. The height adjustment may comprisetelescoping or translating of one or more seat posts relative to one ormore further seat posts.

The height controller may be electrically, mechanically, orhydraulically communicative with the seat adjustment mechanism. Theheight controller may be actuable by a rider when the bicycle is inmotion. For example, the height controller may take the form of a lever,button or the like, and may be positioned on the handlebars of thebicycle, and the rider may use their thumb or another digit to activatethe height controller.

The tilt controller and/or height controller could be buttons, paddles,levers, or similar, and may be designed with different heights from theassembly that houses them. A rider may therefore not need to look at thecontrollers when riding, as the controllers may be operated by touchrather than necessarily by sight. In some embodiments, the rider mayoperate the controllers through other means, such as by voice command,or via a heads-up display. In still other embodiments, the controllersmay be configured to activate according to autonomous pre-sets.

The seat adjustment mechanism may further comprise a lower post coupledto the seat tube coupling and defining a translation axis; and an upperpost coupled to the seat coupling and translatable relative to the lowerpost along the translation axis. The prime mover may be coupled to thelinear actuator. The linear actuator may be coupled to the lower postand upper post and actuable by the prime mover to linearly translate thelower post relative to the upper post.

Thus, the tilt actuator may translate relative to the lower post duringtelescoping/translating of the upper post relative to the lower post.

The prime mover may comprise at least one electrical motor having afirst drive shaft rotatably coupled to the seat coupling gear. The tiltcontroller may be communicative with the at least one electrical motor.

The rider may therefore, using the tilt controller, actuate theelectrical motor to operate the tilt actuator, thereby adjusting a tiltof the bicycle seat ‘on the fly’ (i.e. while the bicycle is in motion),via tilting of the seat coupling relative to the seat tube coupling. Theelectrical motor may be arranged to simultaneously operate both tiltingand translation of the seat coupling relative to the seat tube coupling.Alternatively, the motor may be arranged to operate tilting of the seatcoupling relative to the seat tube coupling independently of translationof the seat coupling relative to the seat tube coupling.

The linear actuator may comprise a threaded lower shaft in rotatablethreaded engagement with one of the upper post and the lower post. Theat least one electrical motor may be fixed to the other one of the upperpost and lower post. The at least one electrical motor may comprise asecond drive shaft coupled to the threaded lower shaft and operable torotate the threaded lower shaft thereby causing the upper post totranslate relative to the lower post.

Through the threaded engagement of the threaded lower shaft with one ofthe upper post and the lower post, rotation of the threaded lower shaftmay be arranged to cause the post to which the lower shaft is threadedlycoupled to translate relative to the threaded lower shaft. The other ofthe upper and lower posts may translate with the threaded lower shaft asthe threaded lower shaft is rotated.

The linear actuator may further comprise a threaded ball nut fixed tothe one of the lower post and the upper post. The threaded lower shaftmay be a threaded ball screw rotatably engaging the threaded ball nut.

More generally, the linear actuator may comprise any other suitablelinear motion assembly configured to convert motion of the second driveshaft of the at least one electrical motor into corresponding linearmotion of the upper post relative to the lower post. For example, thelinear actuator may comprise any other suitable linear actuator such asan offset linear actuator or a direct drive linear actuator. Such linearactuators may include tooth belts, rails, rods, or block and tackleconfigurations. Furthermore, in the above-described embodiments, insteadof a threaded ball nut, a roller nut may be used, and, instead of athreaded ball screw, a roller screw may be used. An arbor may also beused. The arbor may be used with a sleeve in a chuck-like assembly tocouple to the linear actuator. The arbor may facilitate modification ofthe thread grade, tooth grade, etc., of the linear actuator.

The tilt controller may comprise a tilt control interface mountable to aportion, such as a handlebar, of the bicycle, such that the tilt controlinterface may be operable by the rider to actuate the tilt actuator whenthe bicycle is in motion. In some embodiments, the tilt controlinterface may be mountable to the rider.

The height controller may comprise a height control interface mountableto a portion, such as a handlebar, of the bicycle, such that the heightcontrol interface may be operable by the rider to actuate the linearactuator when the bicycle is in motion. In some embodiments, the heightcontrol interface may be mountable to the rider.

One controller (tilt or height) may be operated independently of theother (height or tilt, respectively). In the one embodiment, this may beachieved for example by providing two motors: one to control height andthe other to control tilt. Alternatively, one motor with twoindependently controllable outputs may be used.

The tilt controller and the height controller may be integrated and maycomprise a combined tilt and height control interface mountable to aportion, such as a handlebar, of the bicycle and which is operable bythe rider to substantially simultaneously actuate the tilt actuator andthe linear actuator when the bicycle is in motion. In some embodiments,the combined tilt and height control interface may be mountable to therider. Thus, actuation of the tilt and height controllers (integrated inthe combined tilt and height control interface) may cause substantialsimultaneous actuation of both the tilt actuator and the linearactuator. This may result in both adjustment of a bicycle seat tilt anda bicycle seat height. In particular, raising of the saddle height mayresult in corresponding downward tilting of the saddle. Similarly,lowering of the saddle height may result in corresponding upward tiltingof the saddle. The ratio of height adjustment to tilt adjustment may bepre-set during manufacture of the device, and may be adjustable by auser.

The prime mover may comprise at least one electrical motor which drivesthe first and second drive shafts. The combined tilt and height controlinterface may be communicative with the at least one electrical motor.

The prime mover may comprise a pressurized air chamber mounted in thelower post. The linear actuator may comprise a piston assembly with apiston chamber in the lower post fluidly coupled to the pressurized airchamber via an air valve. The linear actuator may further comprise apiston fixed to the upper post and movable within the lower post alongthe translation axis. The height controller may be further communicativewith the air valve and operable to open the air valve to enable air topass between the pressurized air chamber and the piston thereby linearlytranslating the upper post relative to the lower post.

The rotatable upper shaft may be fixed to the upper post along thetranslation axis. The rotatable upper shaft may be in rotatable threadedengagement with the lower post, such that linear translation of theupper post relative to the lower post may cause the rotatable uppershaft to rotate.

The tilt actuator may further comprise a gear reduction unit rotatablycoupling the rotatable upper shaft to the seat coupling gear. The gearreduction unit may be coupled to the rotatable upper shaft, such thatrotation of the rotatable upper shaft may provide an input to the gearreduction unit which, as an output, provides a reduced rotation of theseat coupling gear.

The device may further comprise a resilient bias (such as a compressionspring) arranged to bias the upper post away from the lower post alongthe translation axis. The resilient bias may assist the upper post intranslating relative to the lower post, thereby making it easier for therider to raise the saddle when using a source of pressurized air (asopposed to a motor) to adjust the height of the bicycle seat.Additionally, the resilient bias may provide a dampening force tocontrol the descent of the upper post relative to the lower post whenthe rider wishes to lower the saddle.

The device may further comprise a height sensor arranged to determine aheight of the seat coupling relative to the seat tube coupling. Thedevice may further comprise a tilt sensor arranged to determine a tiltof the seat coupling relative to the seat tube coupling. The device mayfurther comprise a control unit communicative with the height sensor andthe tilt sensor. The control unit may be arranged, based on one of thedetermined height and tilt of the seat coupling relative to the seattube coupling, to actuate one of tilt actuator and the linear actuator,respectively.

The height sensor may be any sensor configured to detect a change inheight of the seat coupling relative to the seat tube coupling. Forexample, the height sensor may be positioned and arranged to detect adegree of translation or telescoping of one tube or post of the devicerelative to another tube or post of the device. The tilt sensor may beany sensor configured to detect a change in the angle of tilt of theseat coupling relative to the seat tube coupling. For example, the tiltsensor may be positioned and arranged to detect a degree of rotation ofa gear relative to a reference point.

According to a further aspect of the disclosure, there is provided adevice for adjusting a seat position of a bicycle seat. The devicecomprises a seat tube coupling configured to couple to a bicycle seattube; a seat coupling configured to couple to a bicycle seat; and a seatadjustment mechanism comprising a tilt actuator operable to adjust,about a tilt axis, a tilt of the seat coupling relative to the seat tubecoupling. The tilt actuator comprises a seat coupling gear fixed to theseat coupling. The seat adjustment mechanism further comprises a primemover movably coupled to the seat coupling gear such that movement ofthe prime mover causes rotation of the seat coupling gear therebyadjusting the tilt of the seat coupling about the tilt axis. The devicefurther comprises a tilt controller remote from and communicative withthe seat adjustment mechanism and operable by a rider of a bicycle toactuate the tilt actuator thereby adjusting the tilt of the seatcoupling relative to the seat tube coupling.

The prime mover may comprise a rotatable upper shaft comprising a drivegear. The tilt axis and upper shaft may be perpendicular to each other.The drive gear and seat coupling gear may be coupled to each other suchthat rotation of the upper shaft causes rotation of the seat couplinggear.

The drive gear and seat coupling gear may be bevelled, toothed, or mayincorporate one or more bearings, such as ½ moon, sealed, or needlebearings.

The seat adjustment mechanism may further comprise a linear actuatoroperable to linearly translate the seat tube coupling relative to theseat coupling. The device may further comprise a height controllerremote from and communicative with the seat adjustment mechanism andoperable by the rider to actuate the linear actuator thereby adjustingthe height of the seat coupling relative to the seat tube coupling.

The seat adjustment mechanism may further comprise: a lower post coupledto the seat tube coupling and defining a translation axis; and an upperpost coupled to the seat coupling and translatable relative to the lowerpost along the translation axis. The prime mover may be coupled to thelinear actuator, the linear actuator may be coupled to the lower postand upper post, and the linear actuator may be actuable by the primemover to linearly translate the lower post relative to the upper post.

The prime mover may comprise at least one motor having a first driveshaft movably coupled to the seat coupling gear. The tilt controller maybe communicative with the at least one motor.

The seat adjustment mechanism may further comprise a linear actuatoroperable to linearly translate the seat tube coupling relative to theseat coupling. The device may further comprise a height controllerremote from and communicative with the seat adjustment mechanism andoperable by the rider to actuate the linear actuator thereby adjustingthe height of the seat coupling relative to the seat tube coupling.

The at least one motor may be fixed to one of the upper post and thelower post and may comprise a second drive shaft movably coupled to thelinear actuator and operable to actuate the linear actuator and therebycause linear translation of the upper post relative to the lower post.

The linear actuator may comprise a threaded or toothed lower shaft inrotatable threaded or toothed engagement with the other of the upperpost and the lower post. The second drive shaft may be further operableto rotate the threaded or toothed lower shaft and thereby cause theupper post to translate relative to the lower post.

The linear actuator may further comprise a threaded ball nut fixed tothe other of the lower post and the upper post. The threaded lower shaftmay comprise a threaded ball screw rotatably engaging the threaded ballnut.

The linear actuator may comprise a roller nut fixed to the other of thelower post and the upper post, and the toothed lower shaft may comprisea roller screw rotatably engaging the roller nut.

The tilt controller may comprise a tilt control interface operable bythe rider to actuate the tilt actuator when the bicycle is in motion.

The height controller may comprise a height control interface operableby the rider to actuate the linear actuator when the bicycle is inmotion.

The tilt controller and the height controller may be integrated and maycomprise a combined tilt and height control interface operable by therider to actuate the tilt actuator and the linear actuator when thebicycle is in motion.

The prime mover may comprise a pressurized air chamber mounted in thelower post, the linear actuator may comprise a piston assembly with apiston chamber in the lower post fluidly coupled to the pressurized airchamber via an air valve, and a piston may be fixed to the upper postand movable within the lower post along the translation axis. The heightcontroller may be further communicative with the air valve and operableto open the air valve to enable air to pass between the pressurized airchamber and the piston to thereby cause the upper post to translatelinearly relative to the lower post.

The prime mover may further comprise a rotatable upper shaft comprisinga drive gear. The tilt axis and upper shaft may be perpendicular to eachother. The drive gear and seat coupling gear may be coupled to eachother such that rotation of the upper shaft causes rotation of the seatcoupling gear. The rotatable upper shaft may be fixed to the upper postalong the translation axis and in rotatable engagement with the lowerpost, such that linear translation of the upper post relative to thelower post may cause the rotatable upper shaft to rotate.

The tilt actuator may further comprise a gear reduction unit rotatablycoupling the rotatable upper shaft to the seat coupling gear.

The device may further comprise a resilient bias arranged to bias theupper post away from the lower post along the translation axis. Theresilient bias may comprise a compression spring.

The device may further comprise a gear adjustment unit for adjusting anoutput of the first drive shaft relative to the second drive shaft.

The at least one motor may comprise a first motor movably coupled to theseat coupling gear, and a second motor movably coupled to the linearactuator.

The device may further comprise: a height sensor arranged to determine aheight of the seat coupling relative to the seat tube coupling; a tiltsensor arranged to determine a tilt of the seat coupling relative to theseat tube coupling; and a control unit communicative with the heightsensor and the tilt sensor and arranged, based on the determined heightand tilt of the seat coupling relative to the seat tube coupling, toactuate one or more of the tilt actuator and the linear actuator.Actuating the tilt actuator may cause the first motor to be operated,and actuating the linear actuator may cause the second motor to beoperated.

The control unit may be operable to cause the first motor to operate inresponse to operation of the second motor having caused the seatcoupling to translate relative to the seat tube coupling. The controlunit may be operable to cause the second motor to operate in response tooperation of the first motor having caused the seat coupling to tiltrelative to the seat tube coupling.

The device may further comprise a gear adjustment unit coupled to one ormore of the first motor and the second motor. The gear adjustment unitmay be configured to adjust an output of one or more of the first motorand the second motor.

The at least one motor may comprise at least one linear motor. The atleast one linear motor may be coupled to a linear-rotary converteroperable to convert a linear output of the at least one linear motorinto torque for driving the seat coupling gear.

According to a further aspect of the disclosure, there is provided adevice for adjusting a seat position of a bicycle seat, the devicecomprising: a seat tube coupling configured to couple to a bicycle seattube; a seat coupling configured to couple to a bicycle seat; a seatadjustment mechanism comprising: a tilt actuator operable to adjust,about a tilt axis, a tilt of the seat coupling relative to the seat tubecoupling; a linear actuator operable to linearly translate the seat tubecoupling relative to the seat coupling; and a prime mover comprising atleast one motor: movably coupled to the tilt actuator and operable toactuate the tilt actuator and thereby adjust, about the tilt axis, thetilt of the seat coupling relative to the seat tube coupling; andmovably coupled to the linear actuator and operable to actuate thelinear actuator and thereby cause linear translation of the seat tubecoupling relative to the seat coupling.

The device may further comprise a tilt controller remote from andcommunicative with the seat adjustment mechanism and operable by a riderof a bicycle to actuate the tilt actuator and thereby adjust the tilt ofthe seat coupling relative to the seat tube coupling.

The device may further comprise a height controller remote from andcommunicative with the seat adjustment mechanism and operable by a riderof a bicycle to actuate the linear actuator and thereby adjust theheight of the seat coupling relative to the seat tube coupling.

The tilt actuator may comprise a seat coupling gear fixed to the seatcoupling. The at least one motor may be operable to drive rotation of adrive gear rotatably coupled to the seat coupling gear, and therebycause rotation of the seat coupling gear.

One or more of the drive gear and the seat coupling gear may bebevelled, toothed, or may comprise one or more bearings.

The seat adjustment mechanism may further comprise: a lower post coupledto the seat tube coupling and defining a translation axis; and an upperpost coupled to the seat coupling and translatable relative to the lowerpost along the translation axis. The linear actuator may be coupled tothe lower post and upper post, and the linear actuator may be actuableby the prime mover to linearly translate the lower post relative to theupper post.

The at least one motor may be operable to drive a drive shaft movablycoupled to the tilt actuator.

The at least one motor may be operable to drive a drive shaft movablycoupled to the linear actuator.

The at least one motor may be fixed to one of the upper post and thelower post and may be operable to actuate the linear actuator andthereby cause linear translation of the upper post relative to the lowerpost. The linear actuator may comprise a threaded or toothed lower shaftin rotatable threaded or toothed engagement with the other of the upperpost and the lower post, and the at least one motor may be furtheroperable to rotate the threaded or toothed lower shaft and thereby causethe upper post to translate relative to the lower post. The linearactuator may further comprise a threaded ball nut fixed to the other ofthe lower post and the upper post and wherein the threaded lower shaftcomprises a threaded ball screw rotatably engaging the threaded ballnut; or the linear actuator may further comprise a roller nut fixed tothe other of the lower post and the upper post and wherein the toothedlower shaft comprises a roller screw rotatably engaging the roller nut.

The tilt controller may comprise a tilt control interface operable bythe rider to actuate the tilt actuator when the bicycle is in motion.

The height controller may comprise a height control interface operableby the rider to actuate the linear actuator when the bicycle is inmotion.

The tilt controller and the height controller may be integrated and maycomprise a combined tilt and height control interface operable by therider to actuate the tilt actuator and the linear actuator when thebicycle is in motion.

The seat adjustment mechanism may further comprise a gear adjustmentunit for adjusting an output of the drive shaft movably coupled to thetilt actuator relative to the drive shaft movably coupled to the linearactuator.

The at least one motor may comprise a first motor movably coupled to thetilt actuator, and a second motor movably coupled to the linearactuator.

The at least one motor may comprise a motor movably coupled to the tiltactuator and movably coupled to the linear actuator.

The device may further comprise: a height sensor configured to determinea height of the seat coupling relative to the seat tube coupling; a tiltsensor configured to determine a tilt of the seat coupling relative tothe seat tube coupling; and a control unit communicative with the heightsensor and the tilt sensor and configured, based on the determinedheight and tilt of the seat coupling relative to the seat tube coupling,to actuate one or more of the tilt actuator and the linear actuator.Actuating the tilt actuator may comprise driving the drive shaft movablycoupled to the tilt actuator, and actuating the linear actuator maycomprise driving the drive shaft movably coupled to the linear actuator.

The control unit may be further configured to: drive the drive shaftmovably coupled to the tilt actuator in response to translation of theseat tube coupling relative to the seat coupling; or drive the driveshaft movably coupled to the linear actuator in response to tilting ofthe seat coupling relative to the seat tube coupling.

The at least one motor may comprise at least one linear motor, and theat least one linear motor may be coupled to a linear-rotary converteroperable to convert a linear output of the at least one linear motorinto torque for driving one or more of the tilt actuator and the linearactuator.

According to further aspects of the disclosure, there are provided abicycle comprising any of the above-described devices, and a kit ofparts, comprising: a bicycle seat; and any of the above-describeddevices.

According to a further aspect of the disclosure, there is provided adevice for adjusting a tilt of a bicycle seat, comprising: a seat postcoupling for coupling to a bicycle seat post; a seat coupling forcoupling to a bicycle seat; a seat tilt driver for rotating the seatcoupling relative to the seat post coupling; one or more first sensorsfor determining an angle of the seat coupling relative to the seat postcoupling; one or more second sensors for determining an angle of theseat post coupling relative to a reference position; and one or moreprocessors configured to execute computer program code stored on acomputer-readable medium to perform a seat tilt adjustment operationcomprising: determining from the one or more first sensors the angle ofthe seat coupling relative to the seat post coupling; determining fromthe one or more second sensors the angle of the seat post couplingrelative to the reference position; and adjusting, based on thedetermined angle of the seat coupling relative to the seat postcoupling, and based on the determined angle of the seat post couplingrelative to the reference position, the tilt of the bicycle seat byactuating the seat tilt driver.

The one or more second sensors may comprise one or more GlobalNavigation Satellite System (GNSS) sensors for determining a currentposition of the bicycle, and determining the angle of the seat postcoupling relative to the reference position may comprise: determiningfrom the one or more GNSS sensors a current geographic position of thebicycle; determining one or more slopes corresponding to the currentgeographic position of the bicycle; and determining, based on the one ormore slopes, the angle of the seat post coupling relative to thereference position.

Determining the one or more slopes may comprise: accessing a database ofgeographic positions and corresponding slopes; and identifying in thedatabase, based on the current geographic position of the bicycle, theone or more slopes.

Adjusting the tilt of the bicycle seat by actuating the seat tilt drivermay comprise: accessing a database of seat tilt positions andcorresponding bicycle inclinations; identifying in the database, usingthe determined angle of the seat post coupling relative to the referenceposition, one or more corresponding bicycle inclinations and one or morecorresponding seat tilt positions; comparing the identified one or moreseat tilt positions to the determined angle of the seat couplingrelative to the seat post coupling; and adjusting, based on thecomparison, the tilt of the bicycle seat by actuating the seat tiltdriver.

Adjusting the tilt of the bicycle seat may comprise actuating the seattilt driver to adjust the tilt of the bicycle seat toward the identifiedone or more seat tilt positions.

The device may further comprise one or more third sensors fordetermining a load applied to reference area. The seat tilt adjustmentoperation may further comprise: determining from the one or more thirdsensors the load applied to the reference area; and prior to adjustingthe tilt of the bicycle seat, determining, using the determined load,whether to adjust the tilt of the bicycle seat by actuating the seattilt driver.

The reference position may be a horizon.

The seat tilt driver may comprise one or more of: an electric motor; astepper motor; an AC motor; and a DC motor.

The one or more first sensors may comprise one or more of: a magneticsensor; a potentiometer; and an inertial sensor.

The device may further comprise one or more magnetic components fixedrelative to one of the seat coupling and the seat post coupling, and theone or more first sensors may comprise one or more magnetic flux sensorsfixed relative to the other of the seat coupling and the seat postcoupling, for detecting one or more magnetic fields generated by the oneor more magnetic components.

The one or more second sensors may comprise one or more of: an inertialsensor; and a magnetic sensor.

The one or more second sensors may comprise one or more gyroscopes fordetermining an angular velocity of the device in each of orthogonal x,y, and z axes, and one or more accelerometers for determining anacceleration of the device in each of the x, y, and z axes.

The device may further comprise a user input device. Thecomputer-readable medium may further comprise computer program codeconfigured when executed by the one or more processors to cause the oneor more processors to perform a further seat tilt adjustment operationcomprising: detecting one or more user inputs received at the user inputdevice; and adjusting, based on the detected one or more user inputs,the tilt of the bicycle seat by actuating the seat tilt driver.

The device may further comprise: an adjustable-height seat post forcoupling to the seat post coupling and comprising a seat tube couplingfor coupling to a bicycle seat tube; a seat height driver for adjustinga height of the seat post coupling relative to the seat tube coupling;and a user input device. The computer-readable medium may furthercomprise computer program code configured when executed by the one ormore processors to cause the one or more processors to perform a seatheight adjustment operation comprising: detecting one or more userinputs received at the user input device; and adjusting, based on thedetected one or more user inputs, the height of the seat post couplingrelative to the seat tube coupling by actuating the seat height driver.

The user input device may comprise one or more of: an acoustic sensorfor detecting a voice command; an optical sensor for detecting agesture; and a manually operable control device.

The one or more second sensors may comprise one or more GlobalNavigation Satellite System (GNSS) sensors for determining a currentposition of the bicycle, and determining the angle of the seat postcoupling relative to the reference position may comprise: determiningfrom the one or more GNSS sensors a current position of the bicycle;accessing a database of geographic locations and corresponding slopes;identifying in the database, using the determined current position ofthe bicycle, one or more corresponding geographic locations and one ormore corresponding slopes; and determining, using the identified one ormore slopes, the angle of the seat post coupling relative to thereference position.

The database may be comprised in a topological map.

The geographic positions may comprise positions along one or morepredetermined routes.

The device may further comprise one or more third sensors fordetermining a current position of the bicycle. The seat tilt adjustmentoperation may further comprise determining from the one or more thirdsensors the current position of the bicycle. Adjusting the tilt of thebicycle seat by actuating the seat tilt driver may be further based onthe determined position of the bicycle.

The seat tilt driver may be configured to drive translation of a drivingmember coupled about a first pivot to a linkage system connected to theseat coupling such that translation of the driving member drivesrotation of the seat coupling.

The linkage system may comprise a first linkage pivotally coupled aboutthe first pivot to the driving member, and a linkage assembly connectedto the seat coupling and pivotally coupled about a second pivot to thefirst linkage.

The linkage assembly may comprise a pair of second linkages, and thedriving member may be operable translate between the pair of secondlinkages.

The linkage assembly may comprise a magnetic component for magneticallyinteracting with the one or more first sensors.

The one or more first sensors and the one or more second sensors may becomprised on one or more printed circuit boards (PCBs).

The one or more first sensors and the one or more second sensors may becomprised on one or more common PCBs.

The one or more GNSS sensors may be operable to receive data from orsend data to one or more global satellite networks.

The device may further comprise a seat position driver for translatingthe seat coupling relative to the seat post coupling so as to therebyadjust a fore or aft position of the bicycle seat relative to the seatpost coupling.

The seat position driver may comprise a motor operable to drivetranslation of the seat coupling relative to the seat post coupling byinteraction with a rack fixed relative to the seat post coupling.

The one or more processors may be further configured to execute computerprogram code stored on a computer-readable medium to perform a seatposition adjustment operation comprising: detecting a request totranslate the seat coupling relative to the seat post coupling; and inresponse to detecting the request, actuating the seat position driver soas to translate the seat coupling relative to the seat post coupling.

According to a further aspect of the disclosure, there is provided abicycle comprising a seat post and further comprising, attached to theseat post, a device for adjusting a tilt of a bicycle seat, according toany of the above-described embodiments.

The bicycle may further comprise one or more containers of pressurizedgas stored within the seat post.

The seat post may comprise a lower seat tube translatable relative to anupper seat tube, and an anti-rotation mechanism for preventing rotationof the lower seat tube relative to the upper seat tube.

Each of the lower seat tube and the upper seat tube may define alongitudinal axis, and at least one of the lower seat tube and the upperseat tube may have a non-circular cross-section when takenperpendicularly to the longitudinal axis.

The non-circular cross-section may comprise a pair of linear portionsand a pair of curved portions defining a periphery of the at least oneof the lower seat tube and the upper seat tube.

The bicycle may further comprise a clamp for preventing the seat postfrom being decoupled from a frame of the bicycle. The clamp may comprisea clamp lock having a central recessed portion and multiple recessedlobe portions extending from the central recessed portion, at least oneof the recessed lobe portions having a curved end.

The seat post may comprise a lower seat tube translatable relative to anupper seat tube in response to activation of a valve by a motor. Thebicycle may further comprise a controller actuable by a rider of thebicycle when riding. The controller may be configured for wirelesscommunication with the motor in order to wirelessly activate the valve.

According to a further aspect of the disclosure, there is provided acomputer-readable medium storing computer program code configured whenexecuted by one or more processors to cause the one or more processorsto perform a seat tilt operation comprising: determining an angle of aseat coupling relative to a seat post coupling; determining an angle ofthe seat post coupling relative to a reference position; and causing,based on the angle of the seat coupling relative to the seat postcoupling, and based on the angle of the seat post coupling relative tothe reference position, a seat tilt driver to actuate so as to adjust atilt of a bicycle seat.

The seat tilt operation may include any of the operations describedabove in connection with the device for adjusting a tilt of a bicycleseat.

This summary does not necessarily describe the entire scope of allaspects. Other aspects, features, and advantages will be apparent tothose of ordinary skill in the art upon review of the followingdescription of specific embodiments.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Detailed embodiments of the disclosure will now be described inconnection with the drawings, of which:

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a seat post assembly in accordancewith a first, motorized embodiment of the disclosure;

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the seat post assembly of FIG. 1 ina lowered position;

FIG. 3 is an exploded view of an upper portion of the seat post assemblyof FIGS. 1 and 2 ;

FIG. 4 is an exploded view of a lower portion of the seat post assemblyof FIGS. 1 and 2 ;

FIG. 5 is a schematic representation of a bicycle incorporating a seatpost assembly in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure;

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a process of adjusting a position of abicycle seat, in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure;

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of a seat post assembly in accordancewith a second, mechanized embodiment of the disclosure;

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of the seat post assembly of FIG. 7 ina lowered position; and

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of an alternative arrangement of theseat post assembly of FIG. 1 .

FIG. 10A shows a tilt adjustment device attached to a seat post,according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 10B shows a tilt adjustment device according to an embodiment ofthe

disclosure.

FIGS. 11A-12C show different views of an interior of the tilt adjustmentdevice of FIG. 10A, according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 13 is a flow diagram of a method of determining an inclination of abicycle, according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 14 is a flow diagram of a method of adjusting a tilt of a bicyclesaddle, according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 15 is a flow diagram of a method of determining an inclination of abicycle, according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 16 shows a bicycle saddle at different tilt angles, according to anembodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 17 shows an inclination angle of a slope, according to anembodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 18 shows a lower seat tube within an upper seat tube, as part of aseat post for a bicycle, according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIGS. 19A and 19B show a seat clamp according to an embodiment of the

disclosure.

FIG. 20 shows a cross-section of a valve assembly according to anembodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 21 shows a tilt adjustment device configured for translation in thefore and aft directions, according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present disclosure seeks to provide an improved device for adjustinga seat position of a bicycle seat. Whilst various embodiments of thedisclosure are described below, the disclosure is not limited to theseembodiments, and variations of these embodiments may well fall withinthe scope of the disclosure which is to be limited only by the appendedclaims.

A brief summary of embodiments of the disclosure follows. This summaryis not to be seen as limiting in any way on the scope of the disclosure.Generally, there is described a device for adjusting a position of abicycle seat. The device includes an upper post that may translaterelative to a lower post. The upper post includes a seat coupling whichis arranged to couple to a bicycle seat. The lower post includes a seattube coupling which allows the device to be coupled to a bicycle seattube. The device also includes a seat adjustment mechanism. The seatadjustment mechanism, by driving movement of the seat coupling relativeto the seat tube coupling, is used to adjust a tilt and/or a height of abicycle seat coupled to the seat coupling. A tilt and height controlleris provided on the handlebars of the bicycle and may be controlled by arider of the bicycle during movement of the bicycle (i.e. when the rideris pedalling). Actuation of the tilt and height controller operates aprime mover which is responsible for providing the force necessary todrive a tilt actuator and a linear actuator which form part of the seatadjustment mechanism.

Two different embodiments of the disclosure are described: a motorizedembodiment and a mechanized embodiment. In the motorized embodiment, theprime mover includes an electrical motor. The motor drives a tiltactuator, which forms part of the seat adjustment mechanism andcomprises a bevelled seat coupling gear fixed to the seat coupling.Operation of the motor drives rotation of a bevelled drive gear which isin a bevelled coupling with the bevelled seat coupling gear. Thus,operation of the motor converts rotation of the drive gear about thez-axis (i.e. the axis along which the upper and lower posts translate)into rotation of the seat coupling gear about the x-axis (i.e. the axisabout which the seat coupling rotates or tilts). Rotation of the seatcoupling gear about the x-axis results in tilting of the seat couplingand corresponding tilting of the bicycle seat.

In an alternative embodiment, the electrical motor (or at least one ofthe electrical motors) may be configured to output a linear force, asopposed to a torque. Thus, operation of the electrical motor (or one ofmultiple electrical motors) drives a change in linear position of themotor's drive shaft. A linear-rotary converter then converts the changein linear position of the drive shaft into rotary motion which acts uponthe bevelled drive gear which is in a bevelled coupling with thebevelled seat coupling gear, thereby adjusting seat tilt as describedabove.

Operation of the motor is further arranged to drive a linear actuator,which forms part of the seat adjustment mechanism. The linear actuatorcomprises a threaded lower shaft in rotatable threaded engagement withthe lower post. The lower shaft is fixed to the upper post, and thusrotation of the lower shaft is converted into translation of the upperpost relative to the lower post. Operation of the linear actuatortherefore drives translation of the upper post relative to the lowerpost.

In the motorized embodiment, actuation of the motor (i.e. the primemover) is initiated using the tilt and height controller positioned onthe bicycle's handlebars. The controller is communicative with the motorand operates rotation of the linear actuator, resulting in a change inheight of the bicycle seat. The change in height is detected by a sensorwhich is in communication with a control unit. The control unitcommunicates in turn with the motor to drive operation of the tiltactuator, thereby adjusting a tilt angle of the bicycle seat as afunction of the height adjustment of the bicycle seat. The devicetherefore allows for automatic adjustment of the saddle tilt inconjunction with, and as a function of, adjustment of the saddle height.

According to some embodiments, instead of adjusting tilt in response toa detected change height, the seat adjustment mechanism may beconfigured such that height is adjusted in response to a detected changein tilt. Furthermore, according to some embodiments, a gear adjustmentunit may be used such that rotation of one of the motor's drive shaftsis converted into corresponding rotation of another of the motor's driveshafts (i.e. rather than having two independently controlled driveshafts). One of the drive shafts is configured to drive the linearactuator, and the other of the drive shafts is configured to drive thetilt actuator.

In the mechanized embodiment, the prime mover comprises a source ofpressurized air, and the linear actuator comprises a piston assembly.The rider may use the height and tilt controller to initiate release ofthe pressurized air. The pressurized air operates the linear actuator byurging the piston assembly to move along the translation axis. As thepiston assembly is fixed to the upper post, operation of the linearactuator drives translation of the upper post relative to the lowerpost. Thus, using the controller allows the upper post to move bothupwards relative to the lower post (if the rider removes sufficientweight from the saddle) and also downwards relative to the lower post(if the rider applies sufficient weight to the saddle).

Similarly to the motorized embodiment, the mechanized embodimentincludes a threaded upper shaft fixed to the upper post and in threadedengagement with the lower post. Thus, translation of the piston assemblyresults in translation of the threaded upper shaft relative to the lowerpost. Due to the threaded engagement of the threaded upper shaft withthe lower post, the threaded upper shaft is caused to rotate about thetranslation axis as it moves along the translation axis. The mechanizedembodiment uses the same tilt actuator as the motorized embodiment. Inparticular, the threaded upper shaft is rotatably coupled to the drivegear such that rotation of the threaded upper shaft results incorresponding rotation of the seat coupling gear about the tilt axis.Thus, as the upper post translates relative to the lower post, the seatcoupling is simultaneously rotated about the tilt axis, resulting intilting of the bicycle seat. The device therefore allows for adjustmentof the saddle height simultaneously to adjustment of the saddle tilt.

A detailed description of these two embodiments will now follow. Acomplete list of parts referenced in the drawings is included at the endof the description. However, where it is considered that a fulldescription of any of the parts would not assist a person skilled in theart in understanding the disclosure, a description of the part inquestion has been omitted.

In accordance with a first embodiment of the disclosure, FIGS. 1 and 2show a seat post assembly 1000 configured to adjust both a height and atilt of a bicycle saddle. As will be described in more detail below,this embodiment uses motorized means for adjusting the height and tiltof the saddle, and may therefore be referred to as the motorizedembodiment. FIG. 1 shows seat post assembly 1000 in a raised position,whereas FIG. 2 shows seat post assembly 1000 in a lowered position. InFIGS. 1 and 2 , like elements are numbered using like reference numbers.The description begins with a description of seat post assembly 1000 inthe raised position (FIG. 1 ).

Seat post assembly 1000 comprises a cylindrical upper post 10translatable along the z-axis within a cylindrical lower post 12. Upperpost 10 is therefore arranged telescope in and out of lower post 12. Forthe purposes of this description, the z-axis is held to be the axisalong which upper post 10 and lower post 12 translate relative to eachother. Lower post 12 may accommodate one of various standardized seatpost diameters, such as standard to oversized and even greater. Ofcourse, lower post 12 may have any other diameter suitable for its usewith a bicycle.

The upper end of lower post 12 is coupled via a collar 14 to upper post10. At this coupling is provided a dust seal wiper 16 for preventingdust and other contaminants from entering the coupling of lower post 12to upper post 10. Below collar 14 are provided alignment keys 18 toensure that, during telescoping/translating, upper post 10 does not spinor rotate within lower post 12. Lower post 12 is affixed at its base toa bicycle's seat tube (not shown). As known in the art, the bicycle seattube is a permanent element of a bicycle frame which is used to hold andsecure in place a bicycle seat post.

Within lower post 12 is a cylindrical post baffle 20. The position ofpost baffle 20 within lower post 12 defines an annular channel 22 whichprovides a space to allow upper post 10 to telescope within lower post12. The base of post baffle 20 is secured to lower post 12 via athreaded and ported coupler insert 24. Coupler insert 24 threads orinserts snuggly into lower post 12 and defines a base for post baffle20. Coupler insert 24 is fastened with a body circlip 26 that clicksinto place to prevent lateral movement or backing off of coupler insert24 from lower post 12.

The lower portion of lower post 12 forms, beneath coupler insert 24, achamber 28. Chamber 28 is used to house a number of electroniccomponents. These electronic components include a control unit 30, amounting sleeve 32, a driver 34, a lower battery mount 38, a battery 40,an upper battery mount 42 and a charging/data port 44. The base of lowerpost 12 is sealed to prevent the ingress of contaminants into chamber28. To this end a threaded bottom cap 46 engages the bottom of lowerpost 12 by threading internally into the bottom opening of lower post12. An additional hydrophobic coating may be applied to chamber 28 andthe electrical components within chamber 28 to further prevent thepossibility of a short circuit.

Above lower battery mount 38 is housed battery 40. Battery 40 is sealedto prevent damage to its circuitry/components. Battery 40 is held inplace from above via upper battery mount 42 which provides reinforcedinsulation to the upper side of battery 40. Through a number of leadsand other electrical connections, battery 40 provides power to variouselectrical components in chamber 28, including control unit 30 anddriver 34. Charging/data port 44 may be connected to an external powersource for recharging battery 40, and/or may be connected to a PC orother computing device for data management purposes. In otherembodiments (not shown), the battery may be located within the seat tubeof the bicycle frame.

A channel 50 is formed within coupler insert 24 and provides a spacethrough which an electrical conduit 48 may pass through channel 50.Electrical conduit 48 carries electrical wiring from control unit 30,driver 34 and battery 40 to electrical motor 74 described in furtherdetail below. A conduit bushing 52 extends from a wiring harness 118,through channel 50 and through electrical conduit 48. Conduit bushing 52fully encases the wiring between wiring harness 118 and a guide plate156 (see below).

Above chamber 28, along the z-axis, there is provided a dual portedlinear motion piston 54 configured to translate along the z-axis incorrespondence with movement of upper post 10 within lower post 12.Piston 56 is coupled to a high helix lead ball screw 58 via a lead screwtermination mount 70. Screw 58 is configured to rotate about the z-axisthrough activation of motor 74, as will be described in more detailbelow. A fixed piston guide 60 is secured to the top of post baffle 20.Piston guide 60 is configured to guide rotation of screw 58 within thethreads of an affixed lead ball nut 62. The carriage of nut 62 encasesthe arbour of screw 58, and nut is fixed to lower post 12. Thus,movement of screw 58 linearly along the z-axis will cause correspondingrotation of screw 58 around the z-axis through its threaded engagementwith nut 62. A recoil bellow 64 encases screw 58 for protection. Apiston cavity 66 exists between coupler insert 24 and a threaded anddual ported lead guide plate 156, and is bounded in part by post baffle20. Piston 54 is configured to move within piston cavity 66 duringtranslation of piston 54 along the z-axis. Affixed to piston 54 is aheight inertial sensor 68. Height inertial sensor 68 is arranged todetect an amount of translation of upper post 10 relative to lower post12.

A rigid housing ferrule 94 adapts the internal wiring from conduitbushing 52 into a recoil housing 96. This arrangement ensures the wiringcan be coiled for optimum length around the circumference of upper post10. The arrangement furthermore prevents telescoping of upper post 10in/out of lower post 12 from interfering with the wiring.

Now turning our attention to the top of seat post assembly 1000, thereis provided at the top of upper post 10 a bulkhead assembly 72. Beneathbulkhead assembly 72 and housed within upper post 10 is an electricmotor 74. Motor 74 may be a D/C motor, an A/C motor, a stepper motor, agear motor, a stack motor, a gear head motor, a linear motor, abrushless motor, a hysteresis motor, a reluctance motor, a universalmotor, a piezoelectric motor, a magnetic motor, a pneumatic motor, ahydraulic motor, or any other suitable type of electric or non-electricmotor that may be used to implement the seat position adjustment methoddescribed herein. Motor 74 is a dual-head motor and rotates two headsabout the z-axis. The dual heads of motor 74 include a lower motor head76 which faces downward (toward chamber 28) along the z-axis, and anupper motor head 78, which faces upward (toward bulkhead assembly 72)along the z-axis. Both lower motor head 76 and upper motor head 78 mayrotate in both clockwise and counter-clockwise directions, when actuatedby a controller 90 (not shown in FIG. 1 ). Lower motor head 76 iscoupled to screw 58 via a number of fastening components (referenced inthe drawings but not described in more detail here). These componentsassist in driving a smooth transmission from rotation of lower motorhead 76 to rotation of screw 58. Due to the coupling of lower motor head76 and screw 58, any rotation of lower motor head 76 by motor 74 willresult in a corresponding rotation of screw 58.

Upper motor head 78 is coupled to a bevel gear mechanism 80 via a numberof fastening components (referenced in the drawings but not described inmore detail here). These components assist in driving a smoothtransmission from rotation of upper motor head 78 to rotation of bevelgear mechanism 80. Coupled to bevel gear mechanism 80 is a pair ofsplined satellite bevel gear assemblies 82 in turn coupled to a pair ofrail clamp assemblies 84. Due to the bevelled coupling of bevel gearassemblies 82 to bevel gear mechanism 80, bevel gear assemblies 82 areconfigured to rotate about an axis perpendicular to the rotation axis ofbevel gear mechanism 80. In other words, bevel gear assemblies 82 areconfigured to rotate about an axis perpendicular to the z-axis (i.e. thex-axis). Through the coupling of bevel gear assemblies 82 to rail clampassemblies 84, rotation of bevel gear assemblies 82 about the x-axisresults in corresponding rotation of rail clamp assemblies 84 about thex-axis. Affixed onboard bevel gear mechanism 80 is a tilt inertialsensor 86. Tilt inertial sensor 86 is arranged to detect an amount ofrotation of bevel gear mechanism 80, and therefore an amount of rotationof a saddle when coupled to bulkhead assembly 72. As known in the art,rail clamp assemblies 84 are configured to clamp or otherwise secure abicycle saddle relative to seat post assembly 1000. Rail clampassemblies 84 are configured to accommodate various rail-clamp diametersincluding standard and oversized twin rail clamps, and may includesingle post or beam-like clamping mechanisms.

According to some embodiments, the motor may comprise a linear orstepper-like motor. In order to convert the linear output of such amotor into driving and holding torque, a dogbone-like linkage system, orother linear-rotary converter, may be used to couple the motor's outputto bevel gear assemblies 82. Such a motor and associated linear-rotaryconverter, at the cost of increased weight and a greater number ofmoving parts, may provide a potentially higher threshold holding torque,and may reduce the need for a step-up torque/gear assembly coupled tolower motor head 76. An illustration of such an embodiment is shown inFIG. 9 .

For additional detail, an exploded view of seat post assembly 1000 isshown in FIGS. 4 and 5 . Like elements are numbered using like referencenumbers.

In use, seat post assembly 1000 functions as follows. Seat post assembly1000 is mounted to a bicycle frame of a bicycle 88, for example asschematically shown in FIG. 3 . Bicycle 88 includes a controller 90located on the handlebars of bicycle 88 and therefore within easy reachof a rider. Controller 90 is electrically connected to motor 74.

While riding bicycle 88, the rider may desire to readjust the heightand/or the tilt of the saddle 92. For example, if approaching a steepdownhill section, the rider may wish to lower the height of saddle 92 aswell as tilt saddle 92 upwards. Whilst still in motion, the rideractivates controller 90 to initiate a seat adjustment. Activatingcontroller 90 triggers operation of motor 74. The signal received atmotor 74 causes motor 74 to rotate lower motor head 76.

Rotation of lower motor head 76 is transmitted to screw 58. Because ofthe engagement of the threads of screw 58 with nut 62, rotation of screw58 is converted into linear motion of nut 62 along the z-axis. Becausenut 62 is fixed to lower post 12, upper post 10 is caused to telescoperelative to lower post 10. In particular, upper post 10 (coupled toscrew 58) is caused to telescope into lower post 12 (coupled to nut 62).The linear motion of upper post 10 is guided by piston 54. As a result,the z-position or height of bulkhead assembly 72 relative to the bicycleframe will decrease.

As upper post 10 telescopes within lower post 12, height inertial sensor68 detects the amount of translation of upper post 10 relative to lowerpost 12. Height inertial sensor 68 is in communication (wired orotherwise) with control unit 30 and provides as, an input to controlunit 30, data regarding the amount of height adjustment (i.e. the degreeof translation of upper post 10 relative to lower post 12). Based onthis input, control unit 30 determines by how much the tilt of thesaddle is to be adjusted (as a function of by how much the height of thesaddle has been adjusted). Control unit 30 instructs motor 74 to operateupper motor head 78 so as to raise the tilt of saddle 90. A gearreduction unit 148 within motor 74 provides a predetermined reduction inthe rotation of upper motor head 78 relative to the rotation of lowermotor head 76. Through the bevelled engagement of bevel gear mechanism80 with bevel gear assemblies 82, rotation of upper motor head 78results in rotation of rail clamp assemblies 84 about the x-axis.Rotation of rail clamp assemblies 84 about the x-axis axis results in anadjustment of a tilt angle of saddle 92 relative to the horizontal. Inparticular, in the present example of the rider approaching a downhillsection and activating controller 92, saddle height is decreased andsaddle 90 is tilted upwards.

In embodiments where tilt is adjusted in response to height, a step-uptorque/gear assembly may be included in order to provide a predeterminedincrease in the rotation of upper motor head 78 relative to the rotationof lower motor head 76.

In embodiments where multiple motors provide independently controllableoutputs to both the seat tilt adjustment and the seat height adjustment,there may be no need for a gear reduction unit or a gear increase unit.However, a gear reduction unit or a gear increase unit may be used toprovide fine-tuned position adjustments to the seat height/seat tilt.

It is generally desirable to tilt a saddle upwards and lower saddleheight for downhill sections. Similarly it is generally desirable totilt a saddle downwardly and raise saddle height for uphill sections.Therefore the respective rotation directions of lower motor head 76 andupper motor head 78 may be pre-set accordingly. In addition the ratio ofsaddle tilt adjustment to saddle height adjustment may be pre-set, oralternatively may be adjusted at any point through appropriateadjustment of gear reduction mechanism 148. Generally, it is desirablethat 16 mm change in height corresponds to 0.4° to 2.5° of tilt,although the particular preference will vary from one rider to the next.

FIG. 2 shows seat post assembly 1000 in the lowered position. Of course,upper post 10 may be telescoped back out of lower post 12 by activatingcontroller 90 again such that the lower and upper motor heads 76, 78rotate in opposite directions to that in which they rotated whenlowering the seat height.

Thus, rotation of lower motor head 76 in either of two directionsresults in corresponding lowering or raising of bulkhead assembly 72,through the threaded engagement of screw 58 with nut 62 fixedly coupledto lower post 12. The translation of upper post 10 relative to lowerpost 12 is detected by height inertial sensor 68 and communicated tocontrol unit 30. Control unit 30 instructs near simultaneous rotation ofupper motor head 76 to provide corresponding rotation of rail clampassemblies 84 about the x-axis, thereby tilting a saddle attached tobulkhead assembly 72 either upwards or downwards (depending on thedirection of translation of upper post 10).

It is conceivable that a rider may wish to operate lowering/raising ofthe saddle independently of saddle tilt. Thus, controller 90 may beconfigured to provide control of lower motor head 76 independently ofupper motor head 78, and vice versa. In this case, seat post assembly1000 may be provided without inertial sensors 68 and 86, and withoutcontrol unit 30, and controller 90 would then operate each motor head76, 78 independently of the other. The rider could therefore be providedwith three seat position adjustment options via controller 90: 1) adjustseat height and seat tilt simultaneously; 2) adjust seat height only;and 3) adjust seat tilt only. Alternatively, it is envisaged that motor74 could be replaced with two individual motors, each motor operatingone of lower motor head 76 and upper motor head 78 independently of theother. In this embodiment, controller 90 would include a controller foroperating one motor, and another controller for operating the secondmotor.

FIG. 6 illustrates an exemplary process 600 that may be executed bycontrol unit 30 in order to effect automatic seat height adjustment andseat tilt adjustment. At step 610, process 600 commences. At step 620,in response to a change in height of the saddle, the new height positionof the saddle is received at control unit 30. In particular, the newheight position is determined by height inertial sensor 68 and sent tocontrol unit 30. At step 630, the current tilt position of the saddle isreceived. In particular, the current tilt position is determined by tiltinertial sensor 86 and sent to control unit 30. In other embodiments,rather than the inertial sensors sending their respective positioninformation to control unit 30, control unit 30 may query heightinertial sensor 68 and tilt inertial sensor 86 for height and tiltposition information, respectively. At step 640, control unit 30compares the current tilt position to the new height position. Thecomparison may include a determination of whether, for a given heightposition, the tilt position is within a pre-set range tilt positions.The present ranges may be stored in a database of pre-set ranges, storedwithin a memory of control unit 30.

At step 650, control unit 30 determines whether the current tiltposition is optimal, based on the comparison at step 630. An optimaltilt position may be a tilt position which is, for a given heightposition, within a pre-set range tilt positions. If the tilt position isoutside of the pre-set range, then control unit 30 determines that thecurrent tilt position is not optimal. In this case, control unit 30sends an instruction to motor 74 to initiate operation of the tiltposition adjustment mechanism. In other words, control unit 30 causesmotor 74 to initiate rotation of upper motor head 78 so as to adjust thetilt position of the saddle. The tilt position of the saddle is thenadjusted as a function of the new height position of the saddle. Thus,during use of seat post assembly 1000, adjustment of the height of thesaddle (i.e. adjustment of the height position) will lead to anautomatic and corresponding adjustment of a tilt of the saddle (i.e.adjustment of the tilt position).

In alternative embodiments, it is envisaged that, instead of tiltposition being adjusted in response to height position, it is heightposition which is adjusted in response to a change in tilt position.Thus, actuation of controller 90 will cause operation of the tiltadjustment mechanism. Operation of the tilt adjustment mechanism resultsin a change of the saddle's tilt position which is measured by tiltinertial sensor 86. Tilt inertial sensor 86 communicates the new tiltposition to control unit 30. Control unit 30 then compares the new tiltposition to the current height position and determines whether thecurrent height position is no longer optimum relative to the new tiltposition. If the current height position is no longer optimum, thencontrol unit 30 then sends an instruction to motor 74 to operate theheight adjustment mechanism (i.e. by causing rotation of screw 58) tocause upper post 10 to translate relative to lower post 12.

The speed at which control unit 30 operates is sufficiently high suchthat, to the rider, the tilt adjustment mechanism and the heightadjustment mechanism operate substantially simultaneously, although inreality one is operated in response to operation of the other.

In accordance with a second embodiment of the disclosure, FIGS. 8 and 9show a seat post assembly 2000 configured to adjust both a height and atilt of a bicycle saddle. This embodiment uses only mechanical means foradjusting the height and tilt of the saddle, and is therefore referredto as the mechanized embodiment. FIG. 7 shows seat post assembly 2000 ina raised position, whereas FIG. 8 shows seat post assembly 2000 in alowered position. In FIGS. 8 and 9 , like elements are numbered usinglike reference numbers. The description begins with a description ofseat post assembly 2000 in the raised position (FIG. 8 ).

Seat post assembly 2000 comprises a cylindrical upper post 11translatable along the z-axis within a cylindrical lower post 13. Upperpost 11 is therefore arranged telescope in and out of lower post 13.Lower post 13 may accommodate one of various standardized seat postdiameters, such as standard to oversized and even greater. Of course,lower post 13 may have any other diameter suitable for its use with abicycle.

The upper end of lower post 13 is coupled via a collar 15 to upper post11. At this coupling is provided a dust seal wiper 17 for preventingdust and other contaminants from entering the coupling of lower post 13to upper post 11. Below collar 15 are provided alignment keys 19 toensure that, during telescoping/translating, upper post 11 does not spinor rotate within lower post 13. Lower post 13 is affixed at its base toa bicycle's seat tube (not shown). As known in the art, the bicycle seattube is a permanent element of a bicycle frame which is used to hold andsecure in place a bicycle seat post.

In the base of lower post 13 is provided a base inflation valve 21. Baseinflation valve 21, when open, provides a fluid communication flow pathfrom the exterior of seat post assembly 2000 to an air chamber 23. Aircan be pumped into chamber 23 via base inflation valve 21 in order toprovide a source of pressurised air within chamber 23. The valve stem onbase inflation valve 21 may be a Schrader valve stem, a Presta valvestem, or any other suitable valve stem which would require a pumpingtool such as a bicycle pump to obtain the desired pressure withinchamber 23. O-rings 25, 27 and a threaded bottom cap 29 are used to sealchamber 23.

A controller 31 extends from within chamber 23 to a location wherecontroller 31 may be operated by the bicycle rider while the bicycle isin motion. Controller 31 may be a lever, a button, or other like device,and typically is mounted on the handlebars of the bicycle, for easyreach by the rider. In the embodiment of FIG. 8 , controller 31 is apressurized hydraulic oil controller.

Chamber 23 houses a pressurized air delivery system configured to allowpressurized air to flow from within chamber 23 to piston cavity 33. Inparticular chamber 23 houses, amongst other components, a valve ball 35and a valve seat 37. Various other components are housed within chamber23, such as a spool valve. These are not described in detail here butare referenced accordingly in FIG. 1 .

When controller 31 is actuated via a wirelessly configured electricalactuator (e.g. a piezoelectric motor) communicative via Bluetooth™,Zigbee™, Z-Wave™, ANT+, or Wi-Fi) , hydraulic pressure is controlled todisplace the position of valve ball 35 relative to valve seat 37. Afluid flow path is then opened from chamber 23 to piston cavity 33, andpressurized air may flow from chamber 23 into piston cavity 33 via anair aperture 39 at the base of piston cavity 33. A threaded orificecoupler insert 41 is provided between chamber 23 and piston cavity 33and serves to provide a secure seal between chamber 23 and piston cavity33.

Above chamber 23 and along the z-axis is located a high helix lead ballscrew, rod, or rail 43 joined at one end to a centrally ported linearmotion piston 45. Piston 45 is configured to translate vertically alongthe z-axis relative to lower post 13. High tolerance rod O-rings 47, 49prevent air from escaping from piston cavity 33, as piston 45 movesdynamically or remains static. Therefore, air may only enter and exitpiston cavity 33 via air aperture 39 connecting chamber 23 and pistoncavity 33. A compression spring 51 is housed within upper post 11 andarranged to exert a downwardly biasing force on piston 45. That is,spring 51 is configured to urge upper post 11 to telescope out of lowerpost 13.

An affixed lead ball nut 53 is affixed to lower post 13. The carriage ofnut 53 encases the arbour of screw 43. Thus, movement of piston 45 alongthe z-axis and within lower post 13 will urge screw 43 to move linearlywithin nut 53. Because nut 53 is fixed to lower post 13, nut 53 impartsrotational motion of screw 43 during translation of screw 43. Thus,movement of piston 45 within lower post 13 results in rotation of screw43 about the z-axis. Rotation of screw 43 is guided via a mid-lead guidebearing 55 and a threaded and ported lead guide plate 57.

At the topmost end of screw 43, screw 43 enters a gear reduction unit59. Gear reduction unit 59 is dual-headed and comprises a lower gearreduction driver 61 which faces downward (toward piston 45) and an upperinput driver 63 which faces upward (away from piston 54). Both lowergear reduction driver 61 and upper input driver 63 may rotate in bothclockwise and counter-clockwise directions. Lower gear reduction driver61 is coupled to screw 43 via a number of fastening components(referenced in the drawings but not described in more detail here).These components assist in driving a smooth transmission from rotationof lower gear reduction driver 61 to rotation of screw 45. Upper inputdriver 63 is coupled to a bevel gear mechanism 65 via a number offastening components (referenced in the drawings but not described inmore detail here). These components assist in driving a smoothtransmission from rotation of upper input driver 63 to rotation of bevelgear mechanism 65.

Coupled to bevel gear mechanism 65 is a pair of splined satellite bevelgear assemblies 67 in turn coupled to a pair of rail clamp assemblies69. Due to the bevelled coupling of bevel gear assemblies 67 to bevelgear mechanism 65, bevel gear assemblies 67 are configured to rotateabout an axis perpendicular to the rotation axis of bevel gear mechanism5. In other words, bevel gear assemblies 7 are configured to rotateabout an axis perpendicular to the z-axis (i.e. the x-axis). Through thecoupling of bevel gear assemblies 67 to rail clamp assemblies 69,rotation of bevel gear assemblies 67 about the x-axis results incorresponding rotation of rail clamp assemblies 69 about the x-axis. Asknown in the art, rail clamp assemblies 69 are configured to clamp orotherwise secure a bicycle saddle relative to seat post assembly 2000.

In use, seat post assembly 2000 functions as follows. Seat post assembly2000 is mounted to a bicycle frame of a bicycle (for example a bicycleas shown in FIG. 5 ). Controller 31 is on the handlebars of the bicycleand therefore within easy reach of the rider. While riding the bicycle,the rider may desire to readjust the height and/or the tilt of thesaddle. For example, if approaching a steep downhill section, the ridermay wish to lower the height of the saddle as well as tilt the saddleupwards. Whilst still in motion, the rider activates controller 31 toinitiate a seat adjustment.

Activating controller 31 causes valve ball 35 to move away from valveseat 37, as described above. When the valve is opened, the pressurizedair within air chamber 23 flows into piston cavity 33 via aperture 39.The expansion of the air as it flows into piston cavity 33 results on anupwards force being exerted on piston 45. Piston 45 is therefore urgedupwards by the pressurized air entering piston cavity 33. However, withthe rider's full weight applied on the saddle, the weight is sufficientto overcome the upward force exerted on piston 45. As a result piston 45will translate downwards, compressing the air in piston cavity 33 backinto chamber 23 through aperture 39. As piston 45 is coupled to upperpost 11, upper post 11 will translate downwards by telescoping intolower post 13. Compression spring 51 ensures that the downwardtranslation of piston 45 is sufficiently dampened to prevent the riderfrom completely telescoping upper post 11 within lower post 13 andpotentially damaging the device.

Once upper post 11 has reached the desired (lower) height, the rider maydeactivate controller 31. Deactivation of controller 31 results in valveball 35 realigning with valve seat 37 and preventing air from flowingbetween piston cavity 33 chamber 23. Once the valve is closed, theupward force exerted on piston 45 by the compressed air in piston cavity33 balances the downward force exerted on piston 45 by the rider'sweight. The rider may then reapply their full weight on the saddle as,even with their full weight applied, it is insufficient to furthercompress the air contained within piston cavity 33.

Because of the engagement of the threads of screw 43 with stationary nut53, translation of upper post 11 along the z-axis results in rotation ofscrew 43 about the z-axis. Rotation is screw 43 is transmitted to lowergear reduction driver 61, input bevel gear mechanism 63 and bevel gearmechanism 65. Through the bevelled engagement of bevel gear mechanism 65with bevel gear assemblies 67, rotation of input bevel gear mechanism 63results in rotation of rail clamp assemblies 69 about the x-axis.Rotation of rail clamp assemblies 69 about the x-axis axis results in anadjustment of a tilt angle of the bicycle saddle relative to thehorizontal. In particular, in the present example of the riderapproaching a downhill section and activating controller 31, saddleheight is decreased and the saddle is tilted upwards. FIG. 8 shows seatpost assembly 2000 in a lowered position.

Conversely, the rider may wish to raise their saddle from a loweredposition to a raised position. The rider would then activate controller31, thereby opening the valve and releasing pressurized air into pistoncavity 33. The release of pressurized air urges piston 45 upwards. Inorder to allow piston 45 and upper post 11 to translate upwards, therider would need to lift some of their weight off the saddle, forexample by raising their hips slightly. When sufficient weight has beenremoved, piston 45 will translate upwards under the force of thepressurized air expanding into piston cavity 33. Compression spring 51assists with the upward translation of piston 45. Once the desiredheight is reached, the rider reactivates controller 31 to close thevalve. Again, during upwards translation of piston 45, screw 43 will becaused to rotate through its threaded engagement with nut 53 which isaffixed to lower post 13. The rotation of screw 43 results in tilting ofthe saddle through bevel gear mechanism 65 and bevel gear assemblies 67as described above (in this case, during raising of the saddle, thesaddle tilts downwards).

Thus, vertical translation of piston 45 results in lowering or raisingof the saddle, through the action of pressurized air entering pistoncavity 33. Simultaneously, translation of screw 43 through threaded nut53 results in rotation of screw 43. Rotation of screw 43 causes bevelgear mechanism 65 and bevel gear assemblies 67 to tilt the saddle eitherupwards or downwards, depending on which way screw 43 is rotating.

Furthermore, it is conceivable that, given the mechanized embodiment, arider may wish to operate lowering/raising of the saddle independentlyof saddle tilt. The mechanized embodiment could be modified such therotation of the threaded screw 43 is decoupled from the bevel gearmechanism 65. The bevel gear mechanism could then be operated using asecond controller positioned for example on the handlebars. Forinstance, a rack and pinion-type arrangement could be used to convertlinear motion of the controller into rotational motion arranged torotate the bevel gear mechanism. This is merely once possible example ofhow, in the mechanized embodiment, lowering/raising of the saddle couldbe operated independently of saddle tilt.

PARTS LIST-MOTORIZED EMBODIMENT

-   10 Upper post-   12 Lower post-   14 Collar-   16 Dust seal wiper-   18 Alignment keys-   20 Post baffle-   22 Annular channel-   24 Coupler insert-   26 Body circlip-   28 Chamber-   30 Control unit-   32 Mounting sleeve-   34 Driver-   36 Detent-   38 Lower battery mount-   40 Battery-   42 Upper battery mount-   44 Charging/data port-   46 Threaded bottom cap-   48 Electrical conduit-   50 Channel-   52 Conduit bushing-   54 Piston-   58 Screw/shaft-   60 Piston guide-   62 Ball nut/roller-   64 Recoil bellow-   66 Piston cavity-   68 Height inertial sensor-   70 Lead screw termination mount-   72 Bulkhead assembly-   74 Electric motor-   76 Lower motor head-   78 Upper motor head-   80 Bevel gear mechanism-   82 Bevel gear assemblies-   84 Rail clamp assemblies-   86 Tilt inertial sensor-   88 Bicycle-   90 Controller-   92 Saddle-   94 Housing ferrule-   96 Recoil housing-   98 O-ring-   100 Bottom cap spring-   102 Threaded bottom cap-   104 Body circlip-   106 O-ring-   108 Flat washer-   110 Battery leads-   112 Battery lead connectors-   114 Driver leads-   116 Control unit leads-   118 Wiring harness-   120 O-ring-   122 Lower lead guide bearing-   124 Mid lead guide bearing-   126 Upper bellow washer-   128 Upper lead cavity-   130 Lower threaded motor coupler mount-   132 Upper motor dampening spacer-   134 Input driver-   136 Exterior rail clamp-   138 Hex rail fastener-   140 Saddle rail-   142 Spline bushing-   144 Threaded bulkhead-   146 Upper threaded coupler mount-   148 Gear reduction unit/step-up torque unit-   150 Lower motor dampening spacer-   152 O-ring-   154 Threaded and dual ported coupler-   156 Threaded and dual ported lead guide plate-   158 Dampening spacer-   160 Threaded and dual ported coupler-   162 O-ring-   164 Lower linkage module-   166 Upper linkage module-   573 Upper lead guide bearing

PARTS LIST-MECHANIZED EMBODIMENT

-   11 Upper post-   13 Lower post-   15 Collar-   17 Dust seal wiper-   19 Alignment keys-   21 Base inflation valve-   23 Air chamber-   25 O-ring-   27 O-ring-   29 Threaded bottom cap-   31 Controller-   33 Piston cavity-   35 Valve ball-   37 Valve seat-   39 Air aperture-   41 Threaded orifice coupler insert-   43 High helix lead ball screw-   45 Piston-   47 O-ring-   49 O-ring-   51 Compression spring-   53 Affixed lead ball nut-   55 Mid-lead guide bearing-   57 Threaded and ported lead guide plate-   59 Gear reduction unit-   61 Lower gear reduction driver-   63 Upper input driver-   65 Bevel gear mechanism-   67 Splined satellite bevel gear assemblies-   69 Rail clamp assemblies-   71 Controller housing-   73 Hydraulic muffler fitting-   75 Body circlip-   77 Orifice-   79 Inlet manifold-   81 Air distribution system-   83 Discharge manifold-   85 O-ring-   87 Piston pathway-   89 Body circlip-   91 Lower guide bearing-   93 Ball nut fasteners-   95 Gland bushing-   97 Gland O-ring-   99 Threaded and ported lead guide plate-   101 O-ring-   103 Upper guide bearing-   105 O-ring-   107 Lower threaded gear reduction coupler mount-   109 Dampening assembly-   111 Lower dampening spacer-   113 Reduction gears-   115 Upper dampening assembly-   117 Exterior rail clamp-   119 Hex rail fastener-   121 Saddle rail-   123 Bulkhead assembly-   125 Spline bushing-   127 Hex rail fastener-   129 Threaded bulkhead-   131 Upper threaded coupler mount-   133 Upper gear assembly fasteners-   135 Tilt adjustment key-   137 Lower gear assembly fasteners-   139 Body circlip-   141 Body circlip-   143 Spline bushing-   145 Mid-lead guide bearing-   147 Lead screw bumper-   149 O-ring-   151 O-ring-   153 Upper post pathway-   155 Body circlip-   157 Valve ball-   159 Hydraulic oil chamber-   161 Air inlet bushing

Adjusting Seat Tilt as a Function of Bicycle Inclination

There will now be described further embodiments of the disclosure thatrelate generally to devices and methods for adjusting the tilt of abicycle saddle as a function of the inclination or slope of the trail orother route over which the bicycle is moving. The current inclination ofthe bicycle may be determined, for example, by one or more sensors, suchas inertial sensors or GNSS sensors. Based on the trail inclination, aprocessor may determine an optimum or range of acceptable saddle tiltangles (which may be referred to as a “target saddle tilt angle”) thatcorrespond to the determined trail inclination. The processor may thendetermine the current tilt angle of the saddle. Based on the targetsaddle angle that corresponds to the determined trail inclination, andbased on the current tilt angle of the saddle, the processor determineswhether to drive tilting of the saddle. If tilting is needed, theprocessor instructs a drive unit, such as a motor, to drive tilting ofthe saddle to the desired target angle. Thus, tilting of the saddle maybe performed autonomously, without requiring rider intervention.

The following embodiments may be used in conjunction with any of theabove-described devices and methods for adjusting a height of thebicycle saddle. For example, the tilt adjustment devices described belowmay be used in combination with the motor-driven height adjustmentsystems described above in connection with FIGS. 1-4 , and in so doingthe tilt adjustment devices described below may replace the motor-driventilting systems described above in connection with FIGS. 1-4 .

Turning to FIG. 10A, there is shown an embodiment of a seat postassembly 500 according to an embodiment of the disclosure. Seat postassembly 500 comprises a tilt adjustment device 502 mounted on top of abicycle seat post 510. Tilt adjustment device 502 comprises a seat postcoupling 508 for coupling tilt adjustment device 502 to seat post 510.Tilt adjustment device 502 further includes a seat coupling comprising apair of saddle clamps 506 (only one of which can be seen in FIG. 10A)for coupling a bicycle saddle (not shown) to tilt adjustment device 502.Tilt adjustment device 502 further includes an exterior housing 504 forhousing various components that are used to perform the variousfunctions of tilt adjustment device 502.

FIG. 10B shows tilt adjustment device 502 decoupled from seat post 510.Thus, tilt adjustment device 502 may be retrofitted to an existingbicycle seat post. Alternatively, tilt adjustment device 502 may beprovided in combination with seat post 510 for coupling to a seat tubeof a bicycle, in which case the seat post 510 may be inserted directlyinto the seat tube of the bicycle.

Referring to now to FIGS. 11A-11C, there are shown views of an interiorof tilt adjustment device 502 with external housing 504 removed forclarity. As can be seen in FIG. 11B, tilt adjustment device 502comprises a Printed Circuit Board (PCB) 512 on an upper side of which isprovided a power supply such as one or more batteries 511. PCB 512further comprises a microprocessor 530 operable to receive and processreadings obtained by an inertial sensor module 532 (described below)among other components. Further connected to PCB 512 is a memory cardslot 531 for receiving a memory card that may be read by microprocessor530.

Turning to FIG. 11C which shows an underside of PCB 512, inertial sensormodule 532 and a magnetic tilt sensor 533 are connected to PCB 512.Inertial sensor module 532 comprises a three-axis gyroscope and athree-axis accelerometer. The accelerometer and gyroscope are operableto obtain readings of, respectively, an angular velocity and anacceleration of tilt adjustment device 502. Magnetic tilt sensor 533(e.g. such as a 3D magnetic flux sensor) is operable to generatereadings of magnetic flux. Such readings may be used by microprocessor530 to determine a current angle of saddle clamps 506 relative to seatpost coupling 508, as described in further detail below.

At a rear of tilt adjustment device 502 is provided a stepper motor 524operable to drive tilting of the bicycle saddle. In particular, inresponse to one or more instructions received from microprocessor 530,stepper motor 524 may drive tilting of the saddle by driving rotation ofsaddle clamps 506 through rotation of a driving member or linkage 522,described in further detail below. Adjacent to stepper motor 524, thereis provided a further PCB 526 to which is connected a GNSS device 525(such as a Global Positioning System (GPS) sensor or device).

At a bottom of tilt adjustment device 502 there is shown an upperportion of seat post 510 comprising threads 518 at an end thereof.Threads 518 are configured to couple seat post 520 to seat post coupling508 of tilt adjustment device 502.

Turning to FIGS. 12A and 12B, there are shown further views of theinterior of tilt adjustment device 502, with certain components removedfor clarity. Saddle clamps 506 are connected to a linkage assemblycomprising a pair of first linkages 522 a and 522 b which in turn arepivotally connected to a second linkage 534 which itself is pivotallyconnected to a connecting member 514. Stepper motor 524 is connected toand operable to drive translation of a shaft 527 interconnected withconnecting member 514. Linkages 522 a and 522 b define a spacetherebetween through which shaft 527 extends and through which shaft 527translates during operation of shaft 527. As shaft 527 is translatedlinearly between linkages 522 a and 522 b by stepper motor 524, linkage534 is pivotally rotated relative to connecting member 514 about a pivotpoint 535. Rotation of linkage 534 drives rotation of linkages 522 a and522 b about a pivot point 523, which in turn drives rotation of saddleclamps 506 about an axis of rotation 537, thus rotating the bicyclesaddle.

FIG. 12C shows linkage 522 with a magnet 539 provided thereon. Magnet539 is offset from axis of rotation 537 by a first offset, and is offsetfrom magnetic tilt sensor 533 by a second offset. Depending on the angleof rotation of linkage 522 relative to magnetic tilt sensor 533, thedistance between magnet 539 and magnetic tilt sensor 533 will vary, andas a result the magnetic flux detected by magnetic tilt sensor 533 willalso vary. Depending on the magnetic flux detected by magnetic tiltsensor 533, and based on the first and second offsets, microprocessor530 is able to determine the particular angular rotation of linkage 522relative to magnetic tilt sensor 533, and hence the particular tiltangle of the bicycle saddle.

Turning to FIG. 13 , there is shown a flow diagram showing an examplemethod 600 of determining a current inclination of the bicycle. FIG. 17shows an inclination angle of a bicycle 900 relative to a referenceposition, which in the case of FIG. 17 is a horizontal axis 950.Inclination of the bicycle is therefore synonymous with inclination orslope of the route or trail over which the bicycle is moving.

As described above, depending on the particular inclination of thebicycle, there exist one or more optimum or preferred tilt angles forthe bicycle saddle. For example, when riding downhill, it may bepreferable to tilt the saddle upwardly from the horizon. Conversely,when riding uphill, it may be preferable to tilt the saddle downwardlyfrom the horizon. Providing a more optimal tilt angle for the saddledepending on when the bicycle is moving uphill or downhill (andtherefore depending on the particular inclination of the bicycle) mayresult in more efficient and/or comfortable riding.

Returning to FIG. 13 , at block 602, one or more readings are obtainedfrom the accelerometer of inertial sensor module 532, and at block 604one or more readings are obtained from the gyroscope of sensor module532. According to some embodiments, the gyroscope readings may beobtained before the accelerometer readings, or in parallel to theaccelerometer readings. At block 606, microprocessor 530 processes thereadings. For example, microprocessor 530 may apply one or more suitabledigital processing methods or algorithms for processing the readings,such as for example by applying one or more filters. At block 608,microprocessor 530 determines an estimate of the current inclination ofthe bicycle, based on the processed readings.

In parallel to the method shown in FIG. 13 , microprocessor 530 performsa further process as illustrated in FIG. 14 . FIG. 14 shows a flowdiagram of a method 700 of adjusting a tilt of a bicycle saddle as afunction of bicycle inclination. At block 702, microprocessor 530determines the current inclination of the bicycle (as per, for example,the method shown in FIG. 13 ). At block 704, microprocessor 530determines a target tilt angle, based on the determined inclination ofthe bicycle. For example, microprocessor 530 may refer to a look-uptable or similar database stored in a computer-readable memory comprisedin tilt adjustment device 502. The look-up table may comprise a list ofoptimum or preferred saddle tilt angles as a function of bicycleinclination. The contents of the look-up table may be user-configurable.For example, depending on the particular rider, certain riders mayprefer to have their saddle tilted to certain predetermined tilt anglesdepending on the bicycle's particular inclination. Such preferences maybe encoded in the look-up table.

Having determined the target tilt angle of the bicycle saddle, at block706, microprocessor 530 determines a current tilt angle of the bicyclesaddle. In particular, magnetic tilt sensor 533 obtains one or morereadings of magnetic flux. As described above, the particular angularrotation of linkage 522 relative to magnetic tilt sensor 533 will affectthe magnetic flux detected by magnetic tilt sensor 533. The readingsfrom magnetic sensor 533 are received and processed at microprocessor530. The magnetic flux readings enable microprocessor 530 to determinethe particular angular position of linkage 522 relative to magnetic tiltsensor 533. Microprocessor 530 may then determine the current tilt angleof the bicycle saddle. FIG. 16 shows an example of a tilt angle of abicycle saddle 900 relative to a horizontal reference 902.

By comparing the current tilt angle of the bicycle saddle to the targettilt angle as determined from the look-up table, at block 708,microprocessor 530 determines whether to drive tilting of the saddle.For example, if the current tilt angle of the saddle is within apredetermined threshold (such as a hysteresis band threshold) of thetarget tilt angle of the saddle, microcontroller 530 may determine thatthe saddle is already at an acceptable position and that no tilting isrequired. Conversely, if the current tilt angle of the saddle is notwithin a predetermined threshold (such as a hysteresis band threshold)of the target tilt angle of saddle, microprocessor 530 may determinethat the saddle is not at an acceptable position and that tilting isrequired.

If tilting is required, then, at block 710, microprocessor 530 instructsstepper motor 524 to initiate tilting of the saddle by rotating railclamps 506 as described above. At block 712, microprocessor 530determines whether the tilt angle of the saddle is acceptably close to(e.g. within a predetermined threshold of) the target tilt angle. If thetilt angle of the saddle is acceptably close to the target tilt angle,then the process returns to block 702. If the tilt angle of the saddleis not acceptably close to the target tilt angle, then the processreturns to block 710.

When the rider is sitting on the saddle, the load exerted on the saddleby the rider's weight is generally too great for stepper motor 524 todrive tilting of the saddle. If on the other hand the rider is off thesaddle (for example if the rider is riding in an upright, unseatedposition, typically when travelling downhill), then there is effectivelyno load exerted on the saddle and stepper motor 524 may drive tilting ofthe saddle. Therefore, prior to instructing stepper motor 524 to drivetilting of the saddle, microprocessor 530 may first determine thecurrent load applied to a reference area, such as the saddle or seatpost coupling 508. For example, microcontroller 530 may obtain a readingfrom a weight sensor or similar sensor positioned to determine a loadapplied to the saddle.

According to a further embodiment of the disclosure, instead of usinginertial sensor module 532 to determine the current inclination of thebicycle, the current inclination of the bicycle may be determined basedon one or more GNSS readings. For example, referring still to FIG. 14 ,at block 702, the current inclination of the bicycle may be determinedbased on a current geographical location or position of the bicycle.

By dynamically adjusting bicycle seat tilt to an optimum or improvedposition on-the-fly, the rider may benefit from reduced compression onvarious anatomical parts, such as their intervertebral discs, sit bones,tail bone, and nerves. In particular, pressure on the perennial nerve(and the pubic bone in women) may be reduced. Furthermore, for sustainedclimbing efforts, appropriate saddle tilt may maintain regular levels ofvessel blood flow in both men and women.

Referring now to FIG. 15 , there is shown a flow diagram of a method 800of determining a current inclination of the bicycle based on one or moreGNSS readings. At block 802, one or more GNSS readings are obtained byGNSS device 525. At block 804, microprocessor 530 determines a currentgeographical location of the bicycle based on the one or more GNSSreadings. For example, microprocessor 530 may access a topological mapstored on a computer-readable medium received in memory card slot 531.The topological map may comprise data relating to trail or routeinclination, slope, or steepness as a function of geographical location.For example, the topological map may comprise data relating to apredetermined route's inclination and elevation for a given position orhorizontal distance along the route. For instance, the topological mapmay comprise a map as provided, for example, by the applicationsTrailforks™ or Strava™. According to some embodiments, the topologicalmap may store data relating to any absolute geographical position'sslope or inclination. This may be particular useful if, for example, thebicycle is not following a designated route or trail, but instead isexploring the backcountry and is “off the beaten track”.

Having obtained the one or more GNSS readings, and having accessed thetopological map, at block 806, microprocessor 350 determines the currentinclination of the bicycle. For example, the one or more GNSS readingsmay be used by microprocessor 530 to determine a current geographicallocation of the bicycle, and the microprocessor 350 may identify in thetopological map a geographical location that corresponds to thebicycle's current position. Based on the corresponding geographicallocation in the topological map, at block 808, microprocessor 350 maydetermine the current inclination of the bicycle. After havingdetermined the current inclination of the bicycle, this data may then beused to determine whether tilting of the saddle is required, as permethod 700 in FIG. 14 .

Any of the various other features described below may be used inconjunction with tilt adjustment device 502.

For example, according to some embodiments, a controller may be providedon the bicycle (for example on the handlebars) and may be activated bythe rider in order to control tilting of the saddle “on the fly”, thatis while riding. The controller may be connected to microcontroller 530using any suitable communication medium. For example, the controller maybe connected to microcontroller 530 using any suitable wired or wirelessmeans (such as, for example, via Bluetooth™, Zigbee™, Z-Wave™, ANT+, orWi-Fi). In response to actuation of the controller, microcontroller 530may initiate tilting of the saddle by sending a correspondinginstruction to stepper motor 524.

The controller may be manually operable. According to some embodiments,instead of a manually operable controller, the controller may be voiceor gesture-activated. For example, using a suitable acoustic or opticalsensor (such as a camera or radar-based device), the rider may utter avoice command, or may make a suitable gesture, in order toinitiate/cease tiling of the saddle. For example, the rider could speakthe words “tilt up fifteen”, and an acoustic sensor could relay thevoice data to microcontroller 530 whereupon microcontroller 530 may,using suitable voice recognition software, instruct titling of thesaddle upwardly from the horizon by 15 degrees.

When controlling tilting of the saddle using a controller as describedabove, autonomous tilting of the saddle as a function of bicycleinclination (as per the method of claim 14, for example) may betemporarily halted. For example, in response to tilting of the saddleusing a controller as described above, microcontroller 530 may, forinstance, cease for a predetermined period of time looping of the tilingalgorithms described in FIGS. 13-15 .

According to some embodiments, in addition to having a first controllerthat may be used to control tiling of the saddle, the bicycle may befurther provided with a second controller that may be used to controlraising and lowering of the saddle relative to the bicycle seat tube. Inthis case, the mechanism used to drive raising and lowering of thesaddle may be, for example, the motor-driven height adjustment systemdescribed above in connection with FIGS. 1-4 . The first controller andthe second controller may comprise a single controller. In other words,both tiling of the saddle and raising/lowering of the saddle may becontrolled independently of one another via a single controller.

While tilt adjustment device 502 has been described as comprising astepper motor, a magnetic tilt sensor, and an inertial sensor module foruse in driving tilting of the saddle, the skilled person will recognizethat other types of seat tilt drivers and sensors may be used withoutdeparting from the scope of the disclosure. For example, other types ofseat tilt drivers that may be used include any other suitable electricmotor such as a brushed or brushless DC electric motor. According tosome embodiments, other forms of seat tilt drivers, not limited tomotors, may be used. Furthermore, other types of sensors that may beused for determining the current tilt angle of the saddle include, forexample, a potentiometer or optical sensor.

Furthermore, while tilt adjustment device 502 has been described ascomprising a number of interconnected linkages for driving tilting ofthe saddle, the skilled person will recognize that other forms ofmechanical devices may be used to transfer the driving power from themotor to the saddle clamps.

According to some embodiments, saddle tilting may be driven based onfuture trail inclination, as anticipated by GNSS readings. For example,the microprocessor may determine changes in trail or routesteepness/inclination before the bicycle has reached such points, andtherefore may proactively drive tilting of the saddle in anticipation ofsuch changes in route steepness/inclination.

Still further, according to some embodiments, the determined inclinationof the bicycle, as determined by the inertial sensor module, may beadjusted by one or more readings from the GNSS sensor. Thus, theinclination of the bicycle may be determined based on a combination ofreadings from the inertial sensor module as well as the GNSS sensor.

According to some embodiments, seat post 510 may be a telescoping seatpost, and for example may comprise a lower seat tube operable totranslate relative to an upper seat tube that is connected to tiltadjustment device 502. In such embodiments, seat post 510 may house oneor more containers of a pressurized gas (such as canisters ofpressurized CO₂). This may enable a rider to regulate the volume ofpressurized gas in the lower seat tube and essentially “top up” at anytime the pressure within the lower seat tube. Advantageously, with sucha pressurized container stored onboard the bicycle, there may be no needfor the rider to carry a manual shock pump. In addition, in the event ofa flat tire, the rider may access a stored canister and use thepressurized gas to re-inflate the tire after it has been repaired.Advantageously, with such a pressurized container stored onboard thebicycle, there may be no need for the rider to carry a manual tire pump.The one or more containers may be stored at the base of seat post 510(e.g. within the lower seat tube), out of sight until the rider wishesto access a canister.

Turning to FIG. 18 , according to some embodiments, seat post 510 may beconfigured with an anti-rotation mechanism such that relative rotationbetween the lower seat tube 510 a and the upper seat tube 510 bcomprised in seat post 510 may be prevented. For example, according tosome embodiments, one or both of lower seat tube 510 a and upper seattube 510 b may include one or more protrusions (not shown in FIG. 18 )designed to fit into corresponding grooves, channels, or recesses (notshown in FIG. 18 ) in one or both of the other of lower seat tube 510 aand upper seat tube 510 b. Such a mating between the one or moreprotrusions and the grooves, channels, or recesses may prevent relativerotation between lower seat tube 510 a and upper seat tube 510 b.

In order to decrease potential wobble during translation of lower seattube 510 a relative to upper seat tube 510 b, the respective shapes oflower seat tube 510 a and upper seat tube 510 b may form theanti-rotation mechanism. For example, as can be seen in FIG. 18 , lowerseat tube 510 a and upper seat tube 510 b may have non-circularcross-sections that prevent relative rotation between lower seat tube510 a and upper seat tube 510 b. For instance, lower seat tube 510 a andupper seat tube 510 b may have elliptical cross-sections. As can be seenin FIG. 18 , the elliptical cross-section may include a pair of linearportions 1802 connecting opposed semi-circular portions 1804.

Turning to FIGS. 19A and 19B, according to some embodiments, decouplingof bicycle seat post assembly 500 from the bicycle frame 1904 may beprevented by using a clamp 1902. As can be seen, clamp 1902 includes aclamp lock 1906 comprising a central recessed portion 1908 a andmultiple (in the case of FIGS. 19A and 19B, six) recessed lobe portions1908 b extending from central recessed portion 1908 a.

According to some embodiments, upward and downward translation of seatpost 510 may be configured to be wirelessly activated. In particular, acontroller provided for example on the handlebars (such as controller 31discussed in connection with FIGS. 7 and 8 ) may be configured towirelessly activate a portion of a valve allowing seat post 510 to betelescoped upwardly or downwardly. For instance, turning to FIG. 20 ,there is shown an example of such a wireless configuration.

In FIG. 20 , a valve assembly 2002 includes a motor 2008 operable toactuate a pin 2010 for displacing a valve ball 2004 relative to a spring2006. Displacement of valve ball 2004 relative to spring 2006 will causeair to flow into or out of seat post 510 (as described for example inconnection with the embodiment of FIGS. 7 and 8 ). The controllerprovided on the bicycle's handlebars may be configured to wirelesslycommunicate with motor 2008 by using, for example, a suitable radiofrequency communication. For instance, motor 2008 may be communicativewith an RF communication module (not shown) that may receive aninstruction from the controller and cause motor 2008 to beactivated/deactivated depending on the actuation of the controller.Valve assembly 2002 illustrated in FIG. 20 may be suitably incorporatedin any of the embodiments described herein. For example, valve assembly2002 may replace the valve assembly shown in FIGS. 7 and 8 if, forexample, wireless activation of the valve is desired.

According to some embodiments, in addition to enabling automatic tiltingof the saddle, seat post assembly 500 may additionally be configuredsuch that the rider may adjust the forward and aft positions of thesaddle relative to the seat post. For example, as can be seen in FIG. 21, there is shown an embodiment of a tilt adjustment device 2100comprising an upper housing 2150 translatable relative to a base 2160.Base 2160 is secured to a seat post coupling 2165 which may be coupledto a bicycle seat post. A motor (not shown) housed within upper housing2150 is operable to drive translation of upper housing 2150 relative tobase 2160 and in turn seat post coupling 2165, using for example a rack2155 engaged to a pinion of the motor. According to other embodiments,different means of driving translation of upper housing 2150 relative tobase 2160 may be employed. The motor may be communicatively coupled to acontroller operable by a rider of the bicycle. According to someembodiments, the controller may communicate with the motor usingwireless means (such as via one or more radio frequency channels).

According to some embodiments, GNSS device 525 may be remotely accessedby a user in order to determine the location of the bicycle in the eventthat the bicycle is lost or stolen, for example. For instance, a usermay initiate communication with GNSS device 525 by using a suitablewireless communication protocol that permits the user to access locationdata stored onboard GNSS device 525 or that is periodically broadcast byGNSS device 525. Advantageously, GNSS device 525 may be configured forsatellite communication, such that even in the absence of cellularservice, it may be possible for a user to communicate with GNSS device525 (via one or more satellites, for example) in order for the user todetermine the location of the bicycle. This may be particularlyadvantageous, for instance, in the event that a rider is injured in thebackcountry without means of calling for help with their traditionalmobile device.

Whilst the disclosure has been described in connection with specificembodiments, it is to be understood that the disclosure is not limitedto these embodiments, and that alterations, modifications, andvariations of these embodiments may be carried out by the skilled personwithout departing from the scope of the disclosure. It is furthermorecontemplated that any part of any aspect or embodiment discussed in thisspecification can be implemented or combined with any part of any otheraspect or embodiment discussed in this specification.

1. A device for adjusting a tilt of a bicycle seat, comprising: a seatpost coupling for coupling to a bicycle seat post; a seat coupling forcoupling to a bicycle seat; a seat tilt driver for rotating the seatcoupling relative to the seat post coupling; one or more first sensorsfor determining an angle of the seat coupling relative to the seat postcoupling; one or more second sensors for determining an angle of theseat post coupling relative to a reference position; and one or moreprocessors configured to execute computer program code stored on acomputer-readable medium to perform a seat tilt adjustment operationcomprising: determining from the one or more first sensors the angle ofthe seat coupling relative to the seat post coupling; determining fromthe one or more second sensors the angle of the seat post couplingrelative to the reference position; and adjusting, based on thedetermined angle of the seat coupling relative to the seat postcoupling, and based on the determined angle of the seat post couplingrelative to the reference position, the tilt of the bicycle seat byactuating the seat tilt driver, wherein the one or more second sensorscomprise one or more Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) sensorsfor determining a current position of the bicycle, and whereindetermining the angle of the seat post coupling relative to thereference position comprises: determining from the one or more GNSSsensors a current geographic position of the bicycle; determining one ormore slopes corresponding to the current geographic position of thebicycle; and determining, based on the one or more slopes, the angle ofthe seat post coupling relative to the reference position.
 2. The deviceof claim 1, wherein adjusting the tilt of the bicycle seat by actuatingthe seat tilt driver comprises: accessing a database of seat tiltpositions and corresponding bicycle inclinations; identifying in thedatabase, using the determined angle of the seat post coupling relativeto the reference position, one or more corresponding bicycleinclinations and one or more corresponding seat tilt positions;comparing the identified one or more seat tilt positions to thedetermined angle of the seat coupling relative to the seat postcoupling; and adjusting, based on the comparison, the tilt of thebicycle seat by actuating the seat tilt driver.
 3. The device of claim2, wherein adjusting the tilt of the bicycle seat comprises actuatingthe seat tilt driver to adjust the tilt of the bicycle seat toward theidentified one or more seat tilt positions.
 4. The device of any ofclaims 1-3, further comprising one or more third sensors for determininga load applied to reference area, wherein the seat tilt adjustmentoperation further comprises: determining from the one or more thirdsensors the load applied to the reference area; and prior to adjustingthe tilt of the bicycle seat, determining, using the determined load,whether to adjust the tilt of the bicycle seat by actuating the seattilt driver.
 5. The device of any one of claims 1-4, wherein thereference position is a horizon.
 6. The device of any one of claims 1-5,wherein the seat tilt driver comprises one or more of: an electricmotor; a stepper motor; an AC motor; and a DC motor.
 7. The device ofany one of claims 1-6, wherein the one or more first sensors compriseone or more of: a magnetic sensor; a potentiometer; and an inertialsensor.
 8. The device of any one of claims 1-7, further comprising oneor more magnetic components fixed relative to one of the seat couplingand the seat post coupling, and wherein the one or more first sensorscomprise one or more magnetic flux sensors fixed relative to the otherof the seat coupling and the seat post coupling, for detecting one ormore magnetic fields generated by the one or more magnetic components.9. The device of any one of claims 1-8, wherein the one or more secondsensors comprise one or more of: an inertial sensor; and a magneticsensor.
 10. The device of any one of claims 1-9, wherein the one or moresecond sensors comprise one or more gyroscopes for determining anangular velocity of the device in each of orthogonal x, y, and z axes,and one or more accelerometers for determining an acceleration of thedevice in each of the x, y, and z axes.
 11. The device of any one ofclaims 1-10, further comprising: a user input device, wherein thecomputer-readable medium further comprises computer program codeconfigured when executed by the one or more processors to cause the oneor more processors to perform a further seat tilt adjustment operationcomprising: detecting one or more user inputs received at the user inputdevice; and adjusting, based on the detected one or more user inputs,the tilt of the bicycle seat by actuating the seat tilt driver.
 12. Thedevice of any one of claims 1-11, further comprising: anadjustable-height seat post for coupling to the seat post coupling andcomprising a seat tube coupling for coupling to a bicycle seat tube; aseat height driver for adjusting a height of the seat post couplingrelative to the seat tube coupling; and a user input device, wherein thecomputer-readable medium further comprises computer program codeconfigured when executed by the one or more processors to cause the oneor more processors to perform a seat height adjustment operationcomprising: detecting one or more user inputs received at the user inputdevice; and adjusting, based on the detected one or more user inputs,the height of the seat post coupling relative to the seat tube couplingby actuating the seat height driver.
 13. The device of claim 11 or 12,wherein the user input device comprises one or more of: an acousticsensor for detecting a voice command; an optical sensor for detecting agesture; and a manually operable control device.
 14. The device of anyone of claims 1-13, wherein determining the one or more slopescomprises: accessing a database of geographic positions andcorresponding slopes; and identifying in the database, based on thecurrent geographic position of the bicycle, the one or more slopes. 15.The device of claim 14, wherein the database is comprised in atopological map.
 16. The device of claim 14 or 15, wherein thegeographic positions comprise positions along one or more predeterminedroutes.
 17. The device of any one of claims 1-16, wherein the seat tiltdriver is configured to drive translation of a driving member coupledabout a first pivot to a linkage system connected to the seat couplingsuch that translation of the driving member drives rotation of the seatcoupling.
 18. The device of claim 17, wherein the linkage systemcomprises a first linkage pivotally coupled about the first pivot to thedriving member, and a linkage assembly connected to the seat couplingand pivotally coupled about a second pivot to the first linkage.
 19. Thedevice of claim 18, wherein the linkage assembly comprises a pair ofsecond linkages, and wherein the driving member is operable translatebetween the pair of second linkages.
 20. The device of any one of claims17-19, wherein the linkage assembly comprises a magnetic component formagnetically interacting with the one or more first sensors.
 21. Thedevice of any one of claims 1-20, wherein the one or more first sensorsand the one or more second sensors are comprised on one or more printedcircuit boards (PCBs).
 22. The device of claim 21, wherein the one ormore first sensors and the one or more second sensors are comprised onone or more common PCBs.
 23. The device of any one of claims 1-22,wherein the one or more GNSS sensors are operable to receive data fromor send data to one or more global satellite networks.
 24. The device ofany one of claims 1-23, further comprising a seat position driver fortranslating the seat coupling relative to the seat post coupling so asto thereby adjust a fore or aft position of the bicycle seat relative tothe seat post coupling.
 25. The device of claim 24, wherein the seatposition driver comprises a motor operable to drive translation of theseat coupling relative to the seat post coupling by interaction with arack fixed relative to the seat post coupling.
 26. The device of claim24 or 25, wherein the one or more processors are further configured toexecute computer program code stored on a computer-readable medium toperform a seat position adjustment operation comprising: detecting arequest to translate the seat coupling relative to the seat postcoupling; and in response to detecting the request, actuating the seatposition driver so as to translate the seat coupling relative to theseat post coupling.
 27. A device for adjusting a tilt of a bicycle seat,comprising: a seat post coupling for coupling to a bicycle seat post; aseat coupling for coupling to a bicycle seat; a seat tilt driver forrotating the seat coupling relative to the seat post coupling; one ormore first sensors for determining an angle of the seat couplingrelative to the seat post coupling; one or more second sensors fordetermining an angle of the seat post coupling relative to a referenceposition; and one or more processors configured to execute computerprogram code stored on a computer-readable medium to perform a seat tiltadjustment operation comprising: determining from the one or more firstsensors the angle of the seat coupling relative to the seat postcoupling; determining from the one or more second sensors the angle ofthe seat post coupling relative to the reference position; andadjusting, based on the determined angle of the seat coupling relativeto the seat post coupling, and based on the determined angle of the seatpost coupling relative to the reference position, the tilt of thebicycle seat by actuating the seat tilt driver, wherein the seat tiltdriver is configured to drive translation of a driving member coupledabout a first pivot to a linkage system connected to the seat couplingsuch that translation of the driving member drives rotation of the seatcoupling, and wherein the linkage system comprises a first linkagepivotally coupled about the first pivot to the driving member, and alinkage assembly connected to the seat coupling and pivotally coupledabout a second pivot to the first linkage.
 28. A device for adjusting atilt of a bicycle seat, comprising: a seat post coupling for coupling toa bicycle seat post; a seat coupling for coupling to a bicycle seat; aseat tilt driver for rotating the seat coupling relative to the seatpost coupling; one or more first sensors for determining an angle of theseat coupling relative to the seat post coupling; one or more secondsensors for determining an angle of the seat post coupling relative to areference position; and one or more processors configured to executecomputer program code stored on a computer-readable medium to perform aseat tilt adjustment operation comprising: determining from the one ormore first sensors the angle of the seat coupling relative to the seatpost coupling; determining from the one or more second sensors the angleof the seat post coupling relative to the reference position; andadjusting, based on the determined angle of the seat coupling relativeto the seat post coupling, and based on the determined angle of the seatpost coupling relative to the reference position, the tilt of thebicycle seat by actuating the seat tilt driver, wherein the one or morefirst sensors comprise one or more magnetic flux sensors fixed relativeto one of the seat coupling and the seat post coupling.
 29. A device foradjusting a tilt of a bicycle seat, comprising: a seat post coupling forcoupling to a bicycle seat post; a seat coupling for coupling to abicycle seat; a seat tilt driver for rotating the seat coupling relativeto the seat post coupling; one or more first sensors for determining anangle of the seat coupling relative to the seat post coupling; one ormore second sensors for determining an angle of the seat post couplingrelative to a reference position; and one or more processors configuredto execute computer program code stored on a computer-readable medium toperform a seat tilt adjustment operation comprising: determining fromthe one or more first sensors the angle of the seat coupling relative tothe seat post coupling; determining from the one or more second sensorsthe angle of the seat post coupling relative to the reference position;and adjusting, based on the determined angle of the seat couplingrelative to the seat post coupling, and based on the determined angle ofthe seat post coupling relative to the reference position, the tilt ofthe bicycle seat by actuating the seat tilt driver, wherein the one ormore first sensors and the one or more second sensors are comprised onone or more common printed circuit boards (PCBs).
 30. A bicyclecomprising a seat post and further comprising, attached to the seatpost, a device for adjusting a tilt of a bicycle seat, according to anyone of claims 1-29.
 31. The bicycle of claim 30, further comprising oneor more containers of pressurized gas stored within the seat post. 32.The bicycle of claim 30 or 31, wherein the seat post comprises a lowerseat tube translatable relative to an upper seat tube, and ananti-rotation mechanism for preventing rotation of the lower seat tuberelative to the upper seat tube.
 33. The bicycle of claim 32, whereineach of the lower seat tube and the upper seat tube defines alongitudinal axis, and wherein at least one of the lower seat tube andthe upper seat tube has a non-circular cross-section when takenperpendicularly to the longitudinal axis.
 34. The bicycle of claim 33,wherein the non-circular cross-section comprises a pair of linearportions and a pair of curved portions defining a periphery of the atleast one of the lower seat tube and the upper seat tube.
 35. Thebicycle of any one of claims 30-34, further comprising a clamp forpreventing the seat post from being decoupled from a frame of thebicycle, wherein the clamp comprises a clamp lock having a centralrecessed portion and multiple recessed lobe portions extending from thecentral recessed portion, at least one of the recessed lobe portionshaving a curved end.
 36. The bicycle of any one of claims 30-35, whereinthe seat post comprises a lower seat tube translatable relative to anupper seat tube in response to activation of a valve by a motor, whereinthe bicycle further comprises a controller actuable by a rider of thebicycle when riding, and wherein the controller is configured forwireless communication with the motor in order to wirelessly activatethe valve.
 37. A computer-readable medium storing computer program codeconfigured when executed by one or more processors to cause the one ormore processors to perform a seat tilt operation comprising: determiningan angle of a seat coupling relative to a seat post coupling;determining an angle of the seat post coupling relative to a referenceposition; and causing, based on the angle of the seat coupling relativeto the seat post coupling, and based on the angle of the seat postcoupling relative to the reference position, a seat tilt driver toactuate so as to adjust a tilt of a bicycle seat, wherein determiningthe angle of the seat post coupling relative to the reference positioncomprises: determining a current geographic position of the bicycle;determining one or more slopes corresponding to the current geographicposition of the bicycle; and determining, based on the one or moreslopes, the angle of the seat post coupling relative to the referenceposition.
 38. The computer-readable medium of claim 37, wherein causingthe seat tilt driver to actuate so as to adjust the tilt of the bicycleseat comprises: accessing a database of seat tilt positions andcorresponding bicycle inclinations; identifying in the database, usingthe angle of the seat post coupling relative to the reference position,one or more corresponding bicycle inclinations and one or morecorresponding seat tilt positions; comparing the identified one or moreseat tilt positions to the angle of the seat coupling relative to theseat post coupling; and causing, based on the comparison, the seat tiltdriver to actuate so as to adjust the tilt of the bicycle seat.
 39. Thecomputer-readable medium of claim 38, wherein causing the seat tiltdriver to actuate so as to adjust the tilt of the bicycle seat comprisescausing the seat tilt driver to actuate so as to adjust the tilt of thebicycle seat toward the identified one or more seat tilt positions. 40.The computer-readable medium of any one of claims 37-39, wherein theseat tilt operation further comprises: obtaining one or more readings ofa load applied to a reference area; and prior to causing the seat tiltdriver to actuate, determining, using the load, whether to cause theseat tilt driver to actuate so as to adjust the tilt of the bicycleseat.
 41. The computer-readable medium of any one of claims 37-40,wherein the reference position is a horizon.
 42. The computer-readablemedium of any one of claims 37-41, further storing computer program codeconfigured when executed by the one or more processors to cause the oneor more processors to perform a further seat tilt adjustment operationcomprising: detecting one or more user inputs received at a user inputdevice; and causing, based on the detected one or more user inputs, theseat tilt driver to actuate so as to adjust the tilt of the bicycleseat.
 43. The computer-readable medium of any one of claims 37-42,further storing computer program code configured when executed by theone or more processors to cause the one or more processors to perform aseat height adjustment operation comprising: detecting one or more userinputs received at a user input device; and causing, based on thedetected one or more user inputs, a seat height driver to actuate so asto adjust a height of the seat post coupling relative to a seat tubecoupling.
 44. The computer-readable medium of any one of claims 37-43,wherein determining the one or more slopes comprises: accessing adatabase of geographic positions and corresponding slopes; identifyingin the database, based on the current geographic position of thebicycle, the one or more slopes.
 45. The computer-readable medium ofclaim 44, wherein the database is comprised in a topological map. 46.The computer-readable medium of claim 44 or 45, wherein the geographicpositions comprise positions along one or more predetermined routes.